BRIDGEWATER, Va. - On Saturday, March 28, the men's cross country teams from the seasons of 1969, '70, and '71 will be honored and inducted into the Bridgewater College Athletics Hall of Fame as a team of distinction.
This commemoration will take place during the track & field Doc Jopson Invitational beginning at 12:45 p.m. at Doc Jopson Athletic Complex.
For three straight seasons, the Bridgewater College men's cross country program paved the way for excellence in the sport.
Starting in 1969, the Eagles found a hot streak, winning the Little Eight Conference Championship three years in a row. During that time, Dr. Harry "Doc" Jopson led the program to new heights. The 1969 season was highlighted with key performers as Bob Anderson, Doug Coleman, and Brian Kennedy led the squad. Bill Pamplin also ran strong races and was a steady competitor for all four years at BC. During the regular season, Bridgewater placed second behind Eastern Mennonite. Throughout the season a number of schools fought for the top spot with programs such as Washington & Lee, Gallaudet, and Lynchburg in the hunt. However, in the championship meet Bridgewater finished first to take home the Little Eight Championship. This accomplishment marked the beginning of a significant milestone in program history.
In 1970, the team looked different than before. The program was without coach Jopson for the entire season due to a one-year sabbatical. Charlie and his brother Vern Fairchilds stepped in and coached the team to another successful season. Coleman and Anderson became a strong duo once again that year as the Eagles finished first at the Little Eight Championship to help secure a second-straight championship as a team. Coleman went on to win the individual title.
Doc Jopson returned to the helm in 1971. The program was lifted to greater heights with Coleman and Charlie Phillips leading the way to win the conference championship for a third-straight season. Coleman set the course record and defended his individual title crown. The team earned a qualification to the NCAA college division championship, which became the first program in Bridgewater College history to qualify for the NCAA college division national championship in any sport.
In recognition of their accomplishments, the 1969, '70, and '71 Bridgewater College men's cross country teams have been deemed worthy of induction into the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame as teams of distinction.
