Legendary middle-distance runner Tom Von Ruden passed away at the age of 73.
OSU Track Mourns the Loss of Tom Von Ruden
May 18, 2018 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State track legend and Olympian Tom Von Ruden passed away Thursday night at the age of 73. Von Ruden was the first Cowboy in program history to win an indoor individual national title.
Von Ruden joined the OSU program in the fall of 1962 under coach Ralph Higgins as a walk-on from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Von Ruden was recruited because of his standout 4:37 mile time, but instead showed his prowess in the relays and 880 yards.
Von Ruden would go on to earn three indoor NCAA individual titles, including the 880-yard run in 1965, two-mile relay in the same year and another two-mile relay in 1966. To this day, he is the only Cowboy in history to achieve that feat.
Representing OSU at the world level, Von Ruden was one of just eight Olympians in program history. He made the 1968 United States Olympic team, for which he competed in Mexico City and took ninth in a stacked field in the 1,500 meters.
As a prominent figure in OSU track history, his name remains among the most notable in school records. Von Ruden still owns the third-fastest indoor 800 meters and fourth-fastest 880 yards time in OSU history.
Von Ruden joined the OSU program in the fall of 1962 under coach Ralph Higgins as a walk-on from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Von Ruden was recruited because of his standout 4:37 mile time, but instead showed his prowess in the relays and 880 yards.
Von Ruden would go on to earn three indoor NCAA individual titles, including the 880-yard run in 1965, two-mile relay in the same year and another two-mile relay in 1966. To this day, he is the only Cowboy in history to achieve that feat.
Representing OSU at the world level, Von Ruden was one of just eight Olympians in program history. He made the 1968 United States Olympic team, for which he competed in Mexico City and took ninth in a stacked field in the 1,500 meters.
As a prominent figure in OSU track history, his name remains among the most notable in school records. Von Ruden still owns the third-fastest indoor 800 meters and fourth-fastest 880 yards time in OSU history.
