Following a 50-year celebration in January, Head Cross Country and Assistant Track & Field Coach Al Carius will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters at this year’s commencement. This honor is being given to Carius as a nod to the dedication he has shown to developing nationally successful and recognized cross country and track and field programs.
Carius said that this success has come from the environment and culture he’s in along with the people he’s surrounded by. “We are a part of every experience we’ve ever had and every person that we’ve ever met,” he said. “Really, I don’t think anyone can feel that whoever they are is really just about them.”
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The “run for fun and personal bests” philosophy has won Carius 16 cross country national championships, 113 All-Americans and seven individual NCAA DIII national champions. For track, he has won four indoor track & field championships and five outdoor track & field championships with a combined total of over 400 All-Americans and 55 NCCA DIII national champions.
The Cardinals are currently vying for another national championship title at the NCCA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Waverly, Iowa.
The legendary coach has also been successful in the CCIW where the cross country team has won 42 consecutive championships, 45 total, and the track and field team has snagged a total of 51 championships between the indoor and outdoor seasons.
“ …It’s an acknowledgement and a thank you for all the people in my life that have been an influence and helped me in so many way to become who I am,” Carius said. “That’s what it really means to me, but I am very honored and humbled by the award.”
Coach Carius will receive the honor at the commencement ceremony on June 11; coincidentally, the ceremony will be held on the NCC indoor track.
Story by Luke Langlois, Halle Olson and Chris Roemeling
