Coach Terry Bocian AQ Athletic Hall of Fame
Dave Bartels was inducted in 2007, came from South Haven, Michigan to Aquinas in the mid '70s and quickly made his
mark in both cross country and track. Dave ran year-round for four years, earning 12 varsity letters in cross country,
indoor track, and outdoor track. He earned All-American honors in cross country in 1976. At that time, he was only the
second runner to earn this honor at the national meet (he remains one of only five runners in school history to attain
this accolade.) Bartels also set three school records in indoor track, all of which still stand today - more than 30 years
later. The runner set records in the mile, half-mile, and 1,000 yard runs. Even after track converted to the metric
system, Bartels' times were adjusted and they remain the best ever at Aquinas. He additionally holds records set at
South Haven High School. After Teaching for several years in Wisconsin, Bartels moved to Grand Blanc, Mich. where
he started his own business, Blue Star Sportswear, which is now in its 25th years of operation. Bartels and his wife,
Anna Marie (Tomassilli '80) have two daughters, Justine and Rachel, and still reside in the Grand Blanc area.
