ARCATA, Calif.---   Mark Conover '83 died on Wednesday, April 6, at the age of 61, of a recurrent cancer.  Conover became a member of the Cal Poly Humboldt Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 1993.  He was a distinguished college coach and won the 1988 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
 
"Mark is Humboldt," said Cal Poly Humboldt men's and women's cross country coach Jamey Harris.  "He is a legendary figure in our program. He's a big reason why I wanted to coach here and he's an enormous inspiration to our current athletes. I'm sure he will continue to inspire Lumberjack runners long into the future."
 
Conover was a distinguished college coach and became an inspiring advocate of running as a positive force in times of ill health.  He will be remembered for his marathon breakthrough with a PR by more than five minutes and for the courage of his prolonged struggle with cancer.  Conover placed 10^th at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993.  He recovered after extensive treatment, and qualified for and ran in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials. 
 
He started his coaching career after the 1996 Olympic Trials, married Kelly Cordell (All-American at Arizona State), and was the father of triplets. 
 
"Coach Conover's life was a testament to his passion for running and to inspire others to overcome obstacles," added Humboldt head men's and women's track and field coach Sarah Ingram.  "He had and will continue to have a profound impact on the programs he was a part of, touching many lives as a successful athlete and teammate, and then as a legendary coach for so many years. He leaves a legacy of excellence and perseverance that we will remember him for, among other things such as his kindness and positivity. His life story continues to inspire us."  
 
The nine-time All-American  graduated from Humboldt State University in 1981.  He captured the 10,000-meter run at the 1981 NCAA Division II National Championship and in the same year captured the national cross country championship. 
 
Conover received his master's from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he coached the men's cross country team to an unprecedented seven conference wins in the Big West Conference Championships.  The 21-time (men and women) Big West Coach of the Year was a three-time West Region Coach of the Year.