DePaul University Athletics
Looking Forward...BIG EAST Men's Cross Country
5/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | CROSS COUNTRY
BIG EAST Cross Country
CHICAGO - This is the fourth in a series that takes an inside look at the future of DePaul athletics in the BIG EAST Conference. The BIG EAST, headquartered in Providence, R.I., celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2003-04 season and moved forward in 2004-05 with the addition of five new members poised to join the league this summer.
On July 1, DePaul University joins the University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Marquette University and the University of South Florida as new members of the BIG EAST Conference. The league membership in 2005-06 includes the five new members joining the University of Connecticut, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Syracuse University, Villanova University and the University of West Virginia.
A Preview of BIG EAST Men’s Cross Country
BIG EAST cross country holds the distinction of being the league’s first-ever Championship, with the men holding the premiere event in 1979 at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. Georgetown’s John Gregorek was the first-ever BIG EAST individual champion that year, while Providence laid claim to the first team crown.
The BIG EAST Cross Country Championship has been held at two sites in its 25-year history: Franklin Park in Boston, Mass., and Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, N.Y. Providence (14) has captured the most team titles in the men’s event. In addition to the team and individual winners, the top 15 finishers are distinguished as the All-BIG EAST Team. In 2004 at Franklin Park in Boston, Notre Dame claimed the team title by a single point over Georgetown. Notre Dame, Georgetown and Providence represented the league at the NCAA Championships.
Last Five BIG EAST Champions
| 2004 | Notre Dame |
| 2003 | Georgetown |
| 2002 | Villanova |
| 2001 | Notre Dame |
| 2000 | Providence |
Top Returning Finishers from 2004 BIG EAST Championship
(8,000 meters)
| 2004 Finish | Name, School | Time |
| 1st | Bobby Curtis, Villanova | 23:26 |
| 2nd | Chris Lukezic, Georgetown | 23:29 |
| 4th | Martin Fagan, Providence | 23:43 |
| 6th | Tim Moore, Notre Dame | 23:53 |
| 7th | Kurt Benninger, Notre Dame | 23:54 |
| 8th | Kaleb Van Ort, Notre Dame | 23:54 |
| 11th | Marc Pelerin, Villanova | 24:07 |