WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University and its athletic department officially dedicated the newly renovated cross country course Friday evening, recognizing the contributions made by Dave and Claudia Lehman throughout their 45 years of service.

The improved venue, now officially named the Otterbein University Dave and Claudia Lehman Cross Country Course, was made possible through a summer fundraising campaign and recently used for the first time this season on Sept. 20 during the Otterbein Cross Country Invitational, as part of Homecoming.

"There is no couple more deserving of this naming recognition than Dave and Claudia," Director of Athletics Dawn Stewart said. "They have dedicated such a large part of their lives to serving Otterbein and the cross country and track and field programs. It's overwhelming when you think of the generations of student-athletes who have benefited from their kindness and generosity."
 
A 1970 graduate, Dave Lehman spent 30 years at the helm of the men's cross country program from 1970-2000, producing seven Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships, 10 NCAA qualifying teams and five All-Americans His 1994 squad finished eighth in the nation while his 1995 group took 17th.  He settled into an assistant role for cross country in 2000, seeing the team win two more league titles, and eventually taking on the women's head job in 2012.
 
A seven-time OAC Coach of the Year in cross country, Lehman also served as an assistant track and field coach from 1971-2009 before taking over both teams in 2010, assuming that role until his retirement this past spring. He helped generate six All-Americans and 11 OAC championship squads during that stretch.

Speaking at Friday evening's banquet were Stewart, Otterbein President Dr. Kathy Krendl and 1986 graduate Scott Alpeter, the school-record holder in the steeplechase who competed for Lehman and then served alongside him as both the men's head cross country coach and track and field assistant.
 
"Dave and Claudia are one of those positive and supportive couples that you love to be around," Stewart added. "In addition to being a great coach, Dave is a wonderful colleague who was always willing to assist other programs or the department in any way. They live just a block away from Otterbein's athletic facilities and I'm confident we will continue to see them on a regular basis!"
 
Funds raised through the campaign will be used to improve the drainage system, a new "welcome" sign with the course name and map, brand new signage at the mile markers, kilometer markers, and start/finish lines, and finally, the funding of a track and field and cross country endowment program that will assist with annual operations costs and future program enhancements.