Tracy Gaerke Seeley (2016) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Tracy Gaerke Seeley

Induction:
2016
Class:
1991

Tracy (Gaerke) Seeley, a native of Rockford, Ohio and a 1991 BGSU graduate in elementary education, is the school record holder in the 800 and 1500 in outdoor track and field, as well as the indoor track and field 800. She is also a member of the distance medley relay team school record holder for outdoor track and field.

"With humility, honor and excitement, I am thrilled to be selected as a BGSU Athletic Hall Of Fame inductee," Seeley said. "There are many people along my 'running route' who deserve a thank you. First of all, my siblings played an important role in my desire to run track in the first place. Then, of course, my high school coaches, and finally my college coaches: Lee Labadie, Nancy Shafer and Steve Price. They had faith in my abilities and used their talents to get the very best out of me. These coaches were more than just coaches; they treated me as family. From them, I learned about my sport but more importantly learned the imperative skills of time management, hard work, perseverance and dedication."

Seeley's four school records have all stood for at least 25 years. Her 800 time of 2:08.41 during outdoor season was set in 1988 and she set the same record for indoor with a time of 2:08.37 in the same year. She holds three of the five all-time fastest races in the 1500, posting a school record 4:24.03 that has lasted since 1989. As part of the 1991 distance medley relay team, she sits atop the record book with a time of 11:38.62.

More than just establishing school records, Seeley was a trailblazer within the track and field program. She was the first Falcon to qualify for the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field National Championships, placing eighth in the country in 1988 with a time of 2:12.75. In fact, her school record time in the event came in the semifinals at those national championships.

While she specialized in the 800, Gaerke was exceptionally versatile, winning the outdoor MAC Championship in the high jump in 1987 as well as the 1500 in 1989. She also ranks third all-time in the high jump for both the outdoor and indoor seasons.

For her accomplishments on the track, Gaerke was named the Most Outstanding Athlete at the 1989 MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships after winning the 1500, placing second in the 800, third in the high jump and competing on the 1600 relay team.

"Athletics at BGSU opened many doors for me including numerous friendships and meeting the man whom I would eventually marry," Seeley said. "Moreover, now I am looking forward to participating in the festivities surrounding this prestigious event."

The 1990 BGSU Homecoming Queen is married to Paul Seeley, a BGSU alumnus in both football and track and field, and is a long-time teacher. She has three children – Madison, Mackenzie and Pauly.