V 11 N. 18 Kirk Hagan Kansas U 880 Man R.I.P.

                                                                                

                                                                     Kirk Hagan

 I received the following note and obit link from Bill Stone former Oklahoma State great about the passing of one of his rivals in the late 50s early 60s  Kirk Hagan, Kansas Jayhawk and Northwest Classen HS, Oklahoma City.  Kirk won a lot of races including Big 8 championships and was on Kansas' WR two mile relay team.  He was fourth in the NCAA 880 at Franklin Field, Philadelphia in 1961.  

                               Kirk Hagan on the Heels of Bill Stone at the Big 8 Meet Boulder, CO.

                                Going into the last turn.  Kirk won.

                                                  Outdoor Meet in Boulder, CO 1961

George

Shortly after receiving the Boulder picture I discovered that Kirk Hagan had passed away. I am attaching his obituary for your information. Upon reading it I found that our lives had several parallels e.g. running, Vietnam, career paths, love of travel and a great familly.   I considered him not only as a fierce competitor but a good friend.  I regret that although we lived just a few miles away, we never linked up.  The funeral is today. He was a great one.  

Bill

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/kirk-hagan-10067042  Link to Kirk Hagan Obituary

                                  A few weeks after the Big,  John Bork running a monster 880 at the NCAA's 

                                  at Franklin Field.  Kirk on the outside of the pack beside Sig Ohlman, Oregon (2nd)

                                  and Ergas Lepps, Michigan (3rd)   Times were  Bork 1:48.6, Ohlman 1:49.7, 

                                   Lepps 1:49.8, and Hagan 1:50.1   How 'bout that finish line technology?

Dear George:

I was watching that race on television as I was writing my girlfriend (later wife) Monique and kept putting in comments about it (I'm sure to her complete indifference).

It was a great meet but, in retrospect, as one of your other commentators mentioned, the crowds reflect a place and a period when our sport was truly appreciated.

You may be impressed by the finish line technology, but I would give credit to John Bork and his colleagues for running good times over a track that resembled our old barnyard.

Also, that guy with the finish line looks like he is after John's neck.

Take care,

Tom Coyne