Halcyon Blake, named an all-time great

Winston-Salem State University head men’s and women’s cross-country and track and field coach Halcyon Blake was recently honored as one of the greatest track and field athletes to ever come out of the University of Kansas at the “Nights with Legends and Friends” ceremony in Lawrence, KS, a charity event that raised over $50,000 for the KU Mental Health Center. Blake was one of eight former KU athletes that had the honor of being named one of the greatest track and field athletes in Jayhawk history bestowed upon them. Blake, in her second year as the head of both the men’s and women’s track and field and cross country programs at WSSU has helped to put Winston-Salem State University cross-country and track and field back into the national spotlight. The event was presented in the format of a two-mile relay race with all eight honorees taking their turn speaking to those in attendance. The final speaker of the evening was Olympic track and field legend Billy Mills who gave a rousing speech following a video presentation of his Olympic 10,000-meter race. Throughout the event, and following the speeches given by the honorees, the event administrators held both a silent auction and a merchandise sale that helped event organizers to raise over $50,000 for the KU Mental Health Center. Honorees for the evening were KU greats Jim Ryan, Wes Santee, Bill Neider, Theo Hamilton, Candace Mason, Halcyon Blake, Cliff Wiley, and Billy Mills. The presiding theme of the evening was how proud all the inductees were to be Jayhawks. Each of them was cognizant of the astounding legacy that they left behind, and each of them continues to strive to encourage young people to never give up, to strive for the best in themselves, and to continue their support of the University of Kansas. The event, organized and held graciously by The Burt Nash Foundation, helped to make the “Night with Legends and Friends” a truly memorable event for Blake who commented by saying: “For me it was truly an honor being listed as one of the greatest track and field athletes to ever come out of the University of Kansas. I can truly say I am proud to be a JAYHAWK. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, KU!”