Hall of Fame
Dan Veach, who was an impact member of Coach Rip Powell’s powerful track and field teams from 1966 until 1969, returned to his alma mater to coach the Mulerider and Lady Muleriders track and field and cross country teams from 1988 through 2008.
Veach was inducted into the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame earlier this year, joining four previous SAU Hall of Famers, his collegiate coach Powell; former coach George Henry; teammate Wayne (Pug) Roper; and Sammy Epps, who dominated former AIC opponents in multiple events. All five are both Arkansas Track & Field and SAU Hall of Fame members.
Veach was a member of the 440 and 880-yard relay teams that set SAU and Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) records in 1966 and 1967. The 1966 440 team placed fourth in the NAIA national championship meet with a time of 40.8. Veach was a three-time All-America selection from 1966-68, and was a four-time All-AIC honoree.
A native of Southampton, Pa., Veach initiated a track and field program at Emerson after earning his degree at SAU, and captured three cross country and three track and field state championships, and later served as principal at the school for eight years.
At SAU, he coached 84 All-AIC picks, and 28 track and field All-Americans. Five of his Lady Mulerider teams won AIC championships, and his men’s teams were runner-up four times. In 1992, the Mulerider 400-meter relay team won the NAIA national championship in Abbotslord, Canada. Veach was named AIC Coach of the Year five times.
After Southern Arkansas moved to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference in 1995-96, he coached 12 Lady Muleriders to All-GSC honors, with 11 Muleriders named All-GSC. He had two men and two women make All-South Region.
Veach and wife Ann still reside in Magnolia. They are parents of two daughters, Dana and Sidney, and one grandson, Daniel.
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