Bronx, N.Y. – Ed Randall’s “Talkin’ Rams” series offers a unique opportunity to hear from former Fordham student-athletes about their experiences at the university. In the latest installment, Randall, a Fordham alumnus from the class of 1974, interviews Gene McCarthy, a recognized Hall of Famer in cross country and track and field, who graduated from Gabelli School of Business in 1978.
McCarthy made a significant impact upon joining the Fordham track team in 1974, quickly becoming one of its standout distance runners. His achievements during his freshman year included a remarkable 50th place finish out of 250 runners at the IC4A Championship in cross country, which aided the team in qualifying for the NCAA Championship. He excelled in track as well, being part of a two-mile relay team that recorded one of the fastest times globally, running 7:27.2 at the IC4A Championship and earning All-America honors.
His skills shone through at prestigious events like the Penn Relays, where he set remarkable records, including a 4:08 segment in the four-mile relay and a mile time of 4:05, which stood as a school record. In 1976, McCarthy contributed to a bronze medal finish in the 4×1500-meter relay at the Penn Relays while achieving another school record. The following indoor season, he played a pivotal role in capturing distance medley relay honors.
By 1977, McCarthy led the cross country team to a 9-4 record and an impressive sixth-place finish at the IC4A Championship, concluding his season with a personal best and an eighth-place finish among 175 competitors at the NCAA Championships, where the team earned 24th place nationally.
Part two of this captivating series will be available later this week, showcasing more insights from Fordham’s athletic legacy.
This retrospective not only highlights the accomplishments of McCarthy but also emphasizes the lasting connections formed through sports at Fordham, celebrating the school’s athletic heritage and the personal growth of its student-athletes.