BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Bowling Green cross country program celebrated the dedication of 13 granite distance markers on the Mel Brodt Cross Country Course on Saturday, August 31.

The markers indicate the start line and both mile and kilometer distances throughout the course, which distinguishes BGSU as one of the few schools in the country with an on-campus course.

Each marker is inscribed with the names of the donors who have made a continued investment in the program and university, including All American Sid Sink, Olympic gold medalist Dave Wottle, Larry Couchot, Amanda Decker, Dick Elsasser, Bob McOmber, and Jodi and Scot Smith.

The dedication ceremony took place during the Mel Brodt High School Cross Country Meet, which featured over 1,000 high school athletes and attracted several thousand spectators.
 
"The investment our alumni have made in the Bowling Green Cross Country Course and the greater XC/TF program are impactful and appreciated," head BGSU cross country/track & field coach Lou Snelling said. "This group, along with many others, have allowed us to create a national caliber cross country facility, the best in our conference. That in turns gives us the opportunity to hold high quality collegiate and high school competitions on campus every year. Most recently, Bowling Green hosted both the 2020 and 2023 MAC Cross Country Championships, and the Mel Brodt High School Cross Country Meet provides a positive experience for both the athletes and their families on our campus, some for the first time. Additionally, the positive economic impact this venue provides to the greater Bowling Green community is real. We are always looking at the next steps for both the Bowling Green Cross Country Course and the quality of the meets we host on it."     
                                                                                                                                       
A handful of the distance markers on the course were installed without permanent namings attached to them yet. If you, or a group, would like to name a marker with a contribution to the BGSU Cross Country program, please contact Senior Associate AD for Resource Development Dan Meyer (dbmeyer@bgsu.edu) for more information.

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