After 41 years of dedicated service to Walsh University academics and athletics, Dan McCallion is set to retire this summer. In honor of his achievements and contributions to Walsh’s track and field program, Walsh celebrated the dedication of the newly named Dan McCallion Track on Saturday, April 14.
"The best part of my years at Walsh has been working with such outstanding students and student-athletes," McCallion said. "It was an honor to have so many of them return to campus for the track dedication."
During most of his tenure at Walsh, McCallion led the University’s track and cross country programs, in addition to teaching. Most recently, he has served as Director of the Exercise Science Program and Professional Associate Professor of Physical Education and Exercise Science.
Upon joining Walsh University in 1977, Coach Dan McCallion promptly brought respectability to the track program and molded the cross country program into one of the most successful in Ohio. Coach McCallion’s teams rebounded from consecutive last-place finishes at the All-Ohio Meet to 10th, 4th and 3rd place in his first three years. During his tenure, Coach McCallion took the Cavs to the NAIA National Cross Country meet 15 times and had a qualifier at the national championships every season, along with three national champions and scores of All-Americans. However, McCallion is most proud of his 1,000+ recruits and their post-graduation successes, becoming leaders in their respective fields as they continue to carry on the mission of Walsh University.
Beyond his athletic contributions, McCallion has taught more than 24 different courses and held various roles on campus, such as Director of Counseling Services, Director of Career Services, Physical Education Department Chair, Director of Campus Work Study and Athletic Director. He was instrumental in launching Walsh’s women’s track and cross country programs, the physical education major, the exercise science major and the athletic trainer certificate program.
McCallion obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Akron, where he was a four-year letter winner in track and cross country, earning All-American honors.