Kentucky Wildcats TV: Press Whelan Hall of Fame

Press Whelan (1957-61, 1967-73) starred as a national champion and All-American as an athlete before returning as UK's head coach. As an athlete, Whelan (pronounced "WHAY-lan") won a national title in the two-man, 10-mile relay. He set a record time while winning the 1957 SEC cross country championship and also captured the SEC track title twice in the two-mile run. His stellar performances led the Blue and White to SEC cross country championships in 1958 and 1959. Following his career, he served as an assistant coach in 1961. He was named the cross country/track and field head coach in 1967 and held the post until 1973. Whelan guided the cross country squad to an SEC title in 1970. His athletes won four individual national titles and 33 conference crowns. Whelan played a role in the integration of the SEC as he coached the league's first African-American track athlete, Jim Green. Following his collegiate coaching career, he assisted the U.S. State Department by coaching foreign track teams in Turkey and Lebanon. Over the years, he has continued to run and competed in three Senior Olympics and one national senior indoor championship. - Twitter- @KYwildcatsTV https://twitter.com/KYwildcatsTV - Instagram- kywildcatstv http://instagram.com/kywildcatstv - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KYwildcatsTV