HARRISONBURG, Va. – EMU Director of Athletics Carrie S. Bert and Director of Cross Country, Track & Field and Triathlon Bob Hepler recently announced the renaming of the cross country team's annual home invitational to the Roland & Darlene Landes Invitational, in honor of the long-time EMU coach and his wife.

Landes, a 2024 Hall of Honor inductee and Distinguished Service Award recipient, served EMU Athletics in several roles over a decades-long career. He coached five different sports: men's cross country, baseball, men's basketball, women's cross country, and track & field. As the men's cross country coach from 1967-1971 and 1973-76, Landes led the Royals to four National Christian Colleges Athletic Association (NCCAA) championships as well as two ODAC championships, including the inaugural ODAC title in 1976.

Outside of coaching, Landes served EMU as an assistant professor of physical education from 1968-1982 and as supervisor of auxiliary services from 1984 until his retirement in 1998.

The Roland & Darlene Landes Invitational will take place this Friday, Sept. 4, with the start and finish areas on EMU's South Practice Field. A brief ceremony honoring the Landes family and the renaming of the meet is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. The first race will get underway at 6:30 p.m. with the men's 5k, followed by the women's 5k at approximately 7 p.m.

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