July 30, 2002

The Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary Men's Cross Country Team was announced Tuesday by Commissioner John Swofford. The 54-member team was voted on by the nine league institutions as decided by the league's 50th Anniversary Committee.

NC State led all league schools with 13 members on the Golden Anniversary team while North Carolina was second with 12 honorees. Clemson had 10 runners selected, followed by Wake Forest (7), Duke (6), Maryland (3), Virginia (2) and Georgia Tech with one.

Athletes from current and former NC State rosters include:

Abdul Alzindani		1996-1999	Dearborn, Mich. 

Chris Dugan		1997-2001	Scottsdale, Pa. 

Steve Francis		1977-1980	Pough Keepsie Falls, N.Y. 

Bob Henes		1986-1990	Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Dave Honea		1987-1991	Candler, N.C. 

Pat Joyce		1994-1998 	Buffalo Grove, Ill. 

Pat Piper		1984-1987	Hopkinton, N.H. 

Chan Pons		1995-1999	Franklin, N.C. 

Corby Pons		1995-1999	Franklin, N.C. 

Tony Riley		1992-1995	Laguna Pueblo, N.M. 

Brendan Rodgers		1995-1999	Fairfax, Va.

Andy Smith		2000-pres.	Hudson, Ohio	

Jim Wilkins		1970-1973	Roxboro, N.C.

An impressive 12 of the 13 honored to the team received the All-America notice during their tenure at NC State. Steve Francis was the Wolfpack's first cross country All-American in 1980.

NC State cross country has dominated the ACC since its introduction as a league sport, setting a precedent for teams to come. NC State was crowned as the league's first champion in 1953, and has successfully defended the title on nine separate occasions.

The men's program has produced 84 All-ACC runners over the course of the 50-year existence of the ACC. In the last 22 years, NC State has won the team championship eight times and produced the individual champion seven times, with last year's team continuing the tradition.

Head Coach Rollie Geiger is in his 21st year at the helm of the dynasty.