Hall of Honor
“Rick” Chase was a record-setting track and cross country performed who ran distances ranging from 110 yards to two miles either individually or as a relay team member. Undefeated in four years in the 880 and as the sprint medley relay anchorman, he was named the most valuable player in track twice and in cross country once, and he captained both squads. His 880 times of 1:58.3 indoors and 1:55.7 outdoors still stand as school records two decades later, as do the standards established by the sprint and distance medley relay teams of which he was a member. Seldom entered in only one track event because of his ability to earn points, Chase won 56 medals, ribbons and trophies, including 33 for first-place finishes, and his name appeared on nearly two dozen individual and team records. He was also the 1959 Wisconsin AAU 600-yard dash indoor champion and the 1960 Midwest Conference 880 titlist. “He was in a class by himself,” recalls Alf Harrer, who coached him in both sports. “Rick had exceptional running form and relaxation; he simply cruised past others who strained to win.” Chase currently is a senior financial analyst at U.S. Steel corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh.
