University of Minnesota Athletics
Griak Men's Gold Race Named After Merrill Fischbein
9/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Long-time cross country/track official Merrill Fischbein will be honored on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Roy Griak Invitational. The collegiate men’s 8-kilometer race will be named the Merrill Fischbein Men’s Gold Race. Fischbein is the third person to be so honored by having a Griak race named after them, following the late Jack Johnson (Gold Women’s) and the late Larry Zirgibel (Boy’s High School Gold).
Fischbein served as the Roy Griak Invitational’s supervisor of officials for the last 24 years until his recent retirement from officiating cross country/track events. Overall, Fischbein has officiated these events for over 45 years and has helped Minnesota host countless regular-season meets and Big Ten Conference Championships.
“This is a great, great honor to have this race named after me,” said Fischbein. “To have something carry your name, especially something you love, something you can see and experience, and for it to happen in your lifetime is extremely special. I’m very honored.”
Fischbein has seen so many changes over the years in the management of events such as the Griak Invitational; some due to experience, most thanks to technology. He remembers well the days when the Griak and all cross country meet results were tabulated by hand, with spindles to keep the correct order of race finishes. Fischbein recalls developing a system of athlete chutes after the finish line to assist with the massive number of runners finishing an event and trying to record the correct order. This chute system was quickly used around the nation. As the computer age blossomed, the timing systems did as well. Now runners wear electronic computer chips on their shoes and their race times are automatically recorded as they cross the finish line.
“Those old days were so much more fun,” exclaimed Fischbein. “Now computers, chips and cameras have taken a lot of the work out of it. The changes over the years are just amazing.”
A North Minneapolis native, Fischbein attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with bachelor’s degree in recreation leadership and physical education in 1959 and returned to earn a master’s degree in education. Fischbein was a member of the Gopher track team under Jim Kelly, who he remembers for his “subtle way he motivated his guys.”
Fischbein, though retired from his officiating duties, is still working on a career in commercial insurance that has spanned 49 years. He spends half of the year residing in St. Louis Park and the winter months in Florida.
Fischbein is married to his wife of 52 years, Bobbi. They have three children (Bill, Jeffrey and Amy) and seven grandchildren.
Fischbein served as the Roy Griak Invitational’s supervisor of officials for the last 24 years until his recent retirement from officiating cross country/track events. Overall, Fischbein has officiated these events for over 45 years and has helped Minnesota host countless regular-season meets and Big Ten Conference Championships.
“This is a great, great honor to have this race named after me,” said Fischbein. “To have something carry your name, especially something you love, something you can see and experience, and for it to happen in your lifetime is extremely special. I’m very honored.”
Fischbein has seen so many changes over the years in the management of events such as the Griak Invitational; some due to experience, most thanks to technology. He remembers well the days when the Griak and all cross country meet results were tabulated by hand, with spindles to keep the correct order of race finishes. Fischbein recalls developing a system of athlete chutes after the finish line to assist with the massive number of runners finishing an event and trying to record the correct order. This chute system was quickly used around the nation. As the computer age blossomed, the timing systems did as well. Now runners wear electronic computer chips on their shoes and their race times are automatically recorded as they cross the finish line.
“Those old days were so much more fun,” exclaimed Fischbein. “Now computers, chips and cameras have taken a lot of the work out of it. The changes over the years are just amazing.”
A North Minneapolis native, Fischbein attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with bachelor’s degree in recreation leadership and physical education in 1959 and returned to earn a master’s degree in education. Fischbein was a member of the Gopher track team under Jim Kelly, who he remembers for his “subtle way he motivated his guys.”
Fischbein, though retired from his officiating duties, is still working on a career in commercial insurance that has spanned 49 years. He spends half of the year residing in St. Louis Park and the winter months in Florida.
Fischbein is married to his wife of 52 years, Bobbi. They have three children (Bill, Jeffrey and Amy) and seven grandchildren.
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