University names stadium after Dick Kampmann, track after Mel Patton
Former University cross country/track Coach Dick Kampmann was honored at a luncheon on Sunday.
L.A. University held a luncheon on Sunday honoring former track/cross country Coach Dick Kampmann and former sprinter Mel Patton, who won two gold medals at the 1948 Olympic Games.
The school’s new all-weather track was named in honor of Patton, who died in 2014. Its stadium will be known as Kampmann Stadium.
Kampmann, 91, coached from 1960 to 1985. His teams won three City cross country titles and 77 Western League team titles. As he sat at a table, emotional former pupils came up to offer thanks. Others revealed what their teacher-coach meant to them.
“Do you remember me? I ran the 800 in 1981. I didn’t have a beard.”
“I love you, man.”
“He inspired me for the first time to believe in myself.”
“He saw something good in all of us.”
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