California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Dean Shaw established himself as one of the finest long-distance runners in school history during the late 1970s.

Under the guidance of experienced coaches and emeriti faculty members Martin Uher, Olympian Phil Coleman and Ray Lister, Shaw was a two-time NAIA cross country All-American, who finished 21st and 14th nationally in 1977 and 1978 respectively. He was Cal U’s first-ever All-American distance runner.

“Being that he was the school’s first-ever All-American distance runner Dean is most deserving of this and it has been a long time coming,” said Uher. “He was very dedicated.”

Versatile and dedicated, Shaw ran four different track and field events—mile, three miles, 1,500-meters and 5,000-meters. At the 1978 National Athletic Intercollegiate Association (NAIA) Track and Field marathon, Shaw placed an impressive tenth and just missed All-American status. He was the PSAC cross-country finalist in 1978 and is the only Vulcan athlete to be named MVP four different times in two different sports. Shaw, who preferred distance running, ran in the first Pittsburgh Great Race and ran competitively in open 10k meets two years after his collegiate days.

“Dean did not really like track as he did cross-country but developed his track skills,” Uher said. “Back then the marathon was part of the NAIA meet and Dean did a good job with the marathons and just missed making All-American. He kind of used track to help him prepare for cross-country. I am pleased that he is going into the Hall of Fame and my wife and I will be there.”

He credits Uher, Coleman, and Lister for their guidance and in helping him reach his maximum potential as a long-distance runner. Uher nominated Shaw for the university’s highest athletic honor. Two emeriti faculty members from technology education that Shaw praised for his academic preparation were Ronald Dreucci and Sam Madia.

“They were outstanding coaches and people,” Shaw said. “We all became good friends and they did an outstanding job of developing me into the absolute best runner I could be. All of them were so knowledgeable and helpful. They showed me what kind of commitment and time that was needed to train. I know Marty was instrumental in getting me inducted and this is a wonderful honor. No question this is a big deal and quite a surprise 25 years later.”

A 1975 graduate of Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, Shaw was a PIAA state qualifier in three different sports--cross-country, track and field and swimming. He earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and technology education from Cal U in 1979.

Just as was the case during his undergraduate days which were consumed with running and the demanding academic demands from Cal U’s internationally respected applied engineering program, Shaw’s life after college has been one of prioritizing his time.

After graduation, Shaw taught for five years at the Pittsburgh Technical Institute before accepting a position as a designer with Mine Safety Appliances Company in Cranberry Township. Barely a month into this new position, Dean and his wife, Tina, who met on the Cal U campus, found out they would soon become the parents of triplets—Andrew, Jenna, and Brandon. Twenty years later, Shaw is now the senior staff engineer of Mine Safety Appliances. He believes his experience at Cal U has helped him lead his busy and successful life.

“Running takes a certain physical discipline and a kind of mentality that I have found applies in all aspects of life,” Shaw said. “I certainly learned a great deal during my college days about running but a lot of other things too.”

Both quite active in the community, the Shaws reside in Gibsonia. Dean served as a scout leader and was also president of the Pine-Richland High School Booster Club. Both of his sons were scholastic long-distance runners and competed in Cal U’s annual Cross-Country Invitational which will take place for the 32nd year this September.

Two emeriti faculty members from technology education that Shaw praised for his academic preparation were Ronal Dreucci and Sam Madia.

“Both of those guys were really good role models like my coaches were and Professor Dreucci’s coursework during m final two years was quite beneficial,” said Shaw. “One of the times when I was back with my boys for the cross-country invitational I saw Sam and he recognized me right away all those years later. They were incredible.”

With his children having graduated high school, Dean is now pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Pittsburgh. As he continues to change, he is well aware of Cal U’s many changes as well.

“When I went to school Binns was a brand new dormitory,” Shaw said. “I noticed many changes on the campus during previous visits and from what I hear and read there have been many more.”

While Shaw’s accomplishments on the cross-country course or track were of championship caliber, his interaction with others meant more to him than his impressive list of accomplishments.

“Probably what means the most to me are the people I met and the overall experience as opposed to one particular meet or race,” Shaw said. “Someone is always going to come along who runs faster than you. But the memories and friendships are with you forever. I came in contact with a lot of good individuals and am looking forward to coming back to my alma mater.”