Walter C. Mack was an All-American track and cross-country runner and an Olympic hopeful when he began his academic career as a physical education major at Michigan State College in the fall of 1940. His time at MSC was interrupted by military service during World War II, but Walter returned to compete in athletics and complete his degree. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in political science and history at Columbia University, and then moved to California where he met and married Patricia. Walter taught history and coached track and cross-country at Eliot Junior High School, John Muir High School, and the California Institute of Technology.