Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Alum Thomas McLean Elected to Blair Academy Athletics Hall of Fame
6/16/2016 10:41:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Thomas McLean '78, a member of the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame who had a major impact on the Bucknell track and field program, has been inducted into the inaugural Blair Academy Athletics Hall of Fame. McLean is one of five inductees in the Blair Academy Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
McLean is recognized by many at Bucknell as the program's greatest track and field athlete. He is the only Bucknell athlete ever to win an individual NCAA National Championship, taking the 800-meter title in 1976.
In addition to the All-America honors earned by winning that national title, McLean was also an All-American indoors in 1976 (4x800 relay) and twice in 1977 (indoor 880 and outdoor 800). He received All-East recognition on several occasions, most notably after winning IC4A outdoor titles in the 800 in 1976 and 1977. McLean won the 880-yard run in the Middle Atlantic Conference championship in 1974, and won three straight 880 titles in the East Coast Conference beginning in 1975, leading Bucknell to team championships in all three years.
In 1975, McLean finished fifth in the 800 at the Pan American Games and was a finalist in the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials. In 1977, he ranked fifth in the world in the 800-meter event.
Nearly 40 years after his graduation from Bucknell, McLean still holds school records in the indoor 800 (1:50.30) and 1,000-meter (2:23.44) runs, along with the outdoor 400 (46.84) and 800 (1:45.24) races.
Prior to his standout career as a track and field athlete, McLean lettered in basketball as a freshman and sophomore, playing for Coach Jim Valvano. He was a co-captain of the 1974-75 team that finished 14-12 overall.
McLean was inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983 and is a recipient of the Christy Mathewson Award, presented to the most outstanding athlete in the senior class.
McLean stayed around the sport after college, serving as assistant director of operations for the United States Olympic Committee from 1983-1987. He then served as executive director of programs at USA Track and Field from 1991-2003.
