Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu 
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

           Fifteen years ago Larry Mangus, then Vice President of Student Affairs at Shawnee State University, had an idea. While he admits it wasn’t a new one, thousands of people agree it was a good one.
           “I’ve been a runner all of my life,” Mangus explained. “In 1995, I was new to Shawnee State. I had been involved in coordinating races over the years, and suggested a 5K run as a way to help us establish traditions. That’s how the Bear Run was born.”
           Shawnee State University has held two Bear Runs, one in the spring and one in the fall, every year since. This Thursday, April 22, the 30th Bear Run will be held, and just as with the first, Mangus will be present. As the event’s founding father, he says he wouldn’t miss participating in this special SSU anniversary and is traveling from his home in Mississippi to officially start the race.
           “The SSU Bear Run has grown into an incredible community event,” Mangus said. “It has become a tradition, not only for Shawnee State, but for the area schools and the entire community. There are runners who have earned medals in all 29 Bear Runs, and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete in the 30th run.”
           Mangus says that he has been thrilled with the growth of the Bear Run, but he can’t say that he’s surprised.
           “I knew it would be successful,” he said. “That first year, we had about 300 runners and probably 50 volunteers from the campus community. I knew that as we got more schools involved and word got out about it, we would really have a race that would be unrivaled. Now, about 1,200 runners participate in the fall, and about 1,000 or so in the spring. It’s been a good event for runners, a good event for the community, and a good event for Shawnee State. Over the years, we recruited lots of runners through the Bear Run. As a matter of fact, I believe our first All-American Cross Country runner came to us through the Bear Run.”
           Mangus retired from Shawnee State University in 2007. As a retirement gift, he says that his staff gave him a quilt made out of the first 22 Bear Run T-shirts. He says he considers the quilt one of his most prized possessions.
           “It’s on display in my home,” he said. “It feels good to have been a part of something like this. It’s a legacy that I’m proud of. More than the run, though, I’m proud of what the students and staff have done. So many people have contributed to the Bear Run’s success.”
           A former Cross Country coach, Mangus stays involved in athletics, volunteering with the high school in the Corinth, Mississippi, area – helping to lead them to a recent state championship. He also gives two to three presentations a week to area schools about Civil War History.
           The Spring Bear Run will be held Thursday, April 22, beginning at 6 p.m. Registrations can be made through the SSU Athletics webpage at www.shawnee.edu.