Dan is a 1975 Graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Dan was fortunate enough to grow up in the golden days of distance running in Massachusetts. In his junior year, the fall of 1973, he finished 2nd at the All-State Cross Country championships to fellow MSTCA Hall of Famer Stetson Arnold of Southwick High School. Stetson was a senior, so like most young cocky high school kids, Dan thought that the All-State title was his for the taking. Unlike today where everyone knows who everyone is and what they have accomplished with the internet, Dan had no idea of what was happening back in eastern Mass. Little did Dan know that there was a legendary coach by the name of Bill Squires (also a MSTCA Athlete Hall of Famer) who had begun coaching a prodigy from Wayland High School named Alberto Salazar. In the days leading up to the All-State meet at Franklin Park, the Globe had an article telling of all the exploits of this young Phenom Salazar and how he was undefeated and had broken course records in each of his races that fall. It proclaimed that he was the “favorite” to win this year’s individual honors. Dan recalls how he tried to reaffirm himself that he too had gone undefeated and set many course records himself. Surely I should still be considered the “favorite”, shouldn’t I?? Dan said. On race day, the rings out and sure enough, there goes Salazar opening up an immediate gap on the field. Dan thought he was running as fast as he could or dared to. By the time they reached the two-mile mark, Alberto had become what seemed like a small speck on the horizon. Dan was shocked. Going up Bear Cage hill, Dan began making up some ground. As they approached the finish line near White Stadium, the kick was on. Dan’s ferocious kick and determination propelled him to a 2 second margin of victory over Alberto Salazar with a time of 14:02 to Salazar’’s 14:04. Dan would go on to Providence College and would continue his climb to running greatness. I found an article in the Providence College Cowl, their campus newspaper, titled, “Dan Dillon: Super Runner Gone Unnoticed. The writer, Kevin Burke, who had written many articles for the sports pages with many of them about the cross country and tack programs was embarrassed as he really didn’t understand how good Dan was. The article continues and Mr. Burke tells of Dan’s accomplishments in both national and international competitions. Burke states, “Acknowledging my own mis-calculation of Dillon’s outstanding showing, I approached him the other day in a rather apologetic manner… After talking things over, he convinced me that an apology was never in order, for that is just the type of person Dillon is. A modest and soft spoken man, Dan Dillon is the epitome of a true competitor.” At Providence Dan was one of the top U.S. runners to ever compete for the Friars. He was a two time All-American in cross country in 1977 &78, and competed in four NCAA Cross Country Championships in his career. He was a two time New England Champion in track in the 6 mile run and in cross country. Dan captured the 1980 Big East indoor title in the 3,000 meters. He competed for the Unites States in two World Cross Country Championships and posted an incredible 12th place finish in those World Championships in Paris, France. He was the captain of the Friars cross country team. In 1997, Dillon was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame. After his college career Dan would continue competing for the likes of the Greater Boston Track Club, Athletics West, and Nike Boston. He had quite the range of ability with PR’s such as: 8:02 for 3,000m, 13:33 for the 5K, 28:05 for 10K, 48 minutes for 10 miles, 1:04 for a half marathon and 2:16 for the full Marathon. And to top it all off, he was a US National Champion Masters in the 3k steeple Chase running 11:06 and in the 45-50 division, won the Honolulu Marathon. Dan currently lives in Danbury Connecticut and is a freelance sound engineer. He is married to Patti and they have two children Raven and Aaron
Class: 1975 Inducted: 2020