Harter added to Cal Poly Hall of Fame

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas women’s head cross country and track and field coach Lance Harter was inducted to the Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo Hall of Fame this past weekend during a halftime ceremony in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Harter was the head coach for the Mustangs for 10 years prior to joining the Lady Razorbacks in the fall of 1990 and in his time at Cal Poly was one of the most successful collegiate coaches in the country. His squads won eight of the Mustangs 10 NCAA Cross Country titles and his success was nearly equaled on the track with six national titles.

“I am very honored that the administration at Cal Poly felt that I deserved this honor,” Harter said. “We had a very good run there and it is always nice to be remembered for what you have accomplished. What I enjoyed most about being at Cal Poly was being able to teach and coach at the same time. It was an experience that I will always remember.”

To be inducted into the Cal Poly Hall of Fame, coaches, athletic administrators or athletic department staff must have achieved outstanding success during their tenure. Harter’s 14 NCAA Championships still stand as the greatest run in Cal Poly history and his 10 national coach of the year honors are a mark that all coaches at Cal Poly strive for.

Joining Harter at the ceremonies were his wife Kim and son Jeff.

“It was really nice to have Jeff come back and join me,” Harter reflected. “He was a major part of what I was doing at Cal Poly so to have him with me made it even more special.”

Harter’s addition to the Cal Poly Hall of Fame is his second Hall of Fame induction in the past 18 months. Prior to the Cal Poly-SLO honor, Harter was added to the Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) Relays Hall of Fame in April of 2003.