Oct. 29, 2007
Three individual runners as well as two fabled teams of Saint Joseph's early cross country days were inducted into the 2007 Track and Field Hall of Fame Saturday evening.
Christine Kane O'Donnell, Karl Savage, the 1955 and 1956 NCAA men's teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame October 27, 2007. Also recognized are the past championship teams of SJU dating back to the Middle Atlantic Conference days and up to the current Atlantic 10 Conference teams. The theme for this year's ceremony was "A Celebration of Cross Country on Hawk Hill."
Kane O'Donnell is the only runner in SJU history to qualify for the NCAA Championships three times. She accomplished the feat from 1998-2000.
Enroute to those NCAA appearances, Kane O'Donnell was a two-time Atlantic 10 Champion in 1999 and 2000. She led the Hawks to victory in 2000 helping Saint Joseph's sweep both the men's and women's cross country A-10 championships. In addition to her wins, Kane O'Donnell added another All-Conference honor in the 1998 season.
In track Kane O'Donnell holds the SJU indoor 1,000m record and the 3,000m records. She qualified for the NCAA indoor mile and the 1,500m NCAA Championship in 2000. Kane O'Donnell was a five-time individual A-10 Outdoor champion (three times 3,000m, twice 1,500m) and a two-time individual A-10 Indoor champion. She later was an assistant coach to Kevin Quinn.
Savage, a two-time All-Conference cross country runner, won the 2000 Atlantic 10 Championship race at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh and ultimately qualified for the NCAA Championships as an individual. Savage was a part of the 1998 and 2000 Atlantic 10 Championship teams.
In track, Savage was a nine-time individual A-10 champion for Indoor and Outdoor track. He won the Indoor mile three times, Indoor 3,000m two times, Outdoor 1,500m two times, and the Outdoor 5,000m two times. Savage also served as assistant coach to current men's cross country/track & field head coach Mike Glavin from 2004-2007.
Bob Farrell, an IC4A two mile qualifier in 1957 (finishing fifth), was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Farrell also was a member of the fabeled 1956 cross country team that qualified for the NCAA Championships. The Hawks finished fifth in their second consecutive and last appearance in the NCAAs. In addition, that team finished second in the IC4A Championships. Individually, Farrell was Middle Atlantic Conference two mile champion and runner up in cross country.
The 1955 and 1956 men's cross country teams are the only cross country teams ever to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Both squads finished in 5th place.
Moreover, past championship teams will be recognized; men's Middle Atlantic Conference Champions of 1947-1960, 1965; Philadelphia Big 5 1981, 1985; Atlantic 10 1992, 1998, and 2000. Women's championships include Atlantic 10 1993 and 2000.
The inductions took place the same day as the Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships at Belmont Plateau on Saturday in the Haub Center in McShain Hall. The event was hosted by Kevin Quinn and attended by SJU Director of Athletics Don DiJulia.
