Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Hall of Famer Steve Danforth Passes Away
September 04, 2025 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Athletics mourns the passing of Steve Danforth, one of the most accomplished distance runners in cross country and track & field program history and a member of the Falcon Hall of Fame.
Danforth competed for BGSU from 1969 to 1974, becoming a three-time All-American in cross country and a six-time NCAA track championships qualifier. He competed in both indoor and outdoor national meets in the mile, three-mile, and six-mile events. His career-best marks included 4:06.9 in the mile, 9:01.8 in the two-mile, 13:38.9 in the three-mile, and 28:38.1 in the six-mile.
A leader on the track, Danforth ran the leadoff leg on two BGSU 4xMile relay squads that would have been recognized as American records today. He also helped the Falcons to national prominence in the distance medley relay, running in the 1971 NCAA finals.
During his career, Danforth consistently placed among the top competitors in the Mid-American Conference and NCAA championships. Highlights included a 35th-place finish at the 1970 NCAA Cross Country Championships, a ninth-place finish in the three-mile at the 1971 NCAA Outdoor Championships, and a top-30 finish in his final NCAA cross country race in 1972.
Inducted into BGSU's Hall of Fame for his accomplishments, Danforth remains remembered as a standard-bearer for Falcon distance running. His dedication and achievements continue to inspire generations of student-athletes.
BGSU Athletics extends its deepest condolences to Danforth's family, friends and former teammates.
Danforth competed for BGSU from 1969 to 1974, becoming a three-time All-American in cross country and a six-time NCAA track championships qualifier. He competed in both indoor and outdoor national meets in the mile, three-mile, and six-mile events. His career-best marks included 4:06.9 in the mile, 9:01.8 in the two-mile, 13:38.9 in the three-mile, and 28:38.1 in the six-mile.
A leader on the track, Danforth ran the leadoff leg on two BGSU 4xMile relay squads that would have been recognized as American records today. He also helped the Falcons to national prominence in the distance medley relay, running in the 1971 NCAA finals.
During his career, Danforth consistently placed among the top competitors in the Mid-American Conference and NCAA championships. Highlights included a 35th-place finish at the 1970 NCAA Cross Country Championships, a ninth-place finish in the three-mile at the 1971 NCAA Outdoor Championships, and a top-30 finish in his final NCAA cross country race in 1972.
Inducted into BGSU's Hall of Fame for his accomplishments, Danforth remains remembered as a standard-bearer for Falcon distance running. His dedication and achievements continue to inspire generations of student-athletes.
BGSU Athletics extends its deepest condolences to Danforth's family, friends and former teammates.
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