A few years ago, Penn men's track coach Charlie Powell was ushering Arkansas track coach John McDonnell through Weightman Hall to the press room.
A security guard stopped them and said that McDonnell wasn't allowed past.
"His team just won the distance medley, and I'm taking him to the press room," Powell explained.
But the guard didn't budge.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know who he is, so he's not coming through."
They turned around, and McDonnell whispered to Powell: "It's okay. We have people like that at Arkansas, too."
McDonnell wasn't too miffed about the incident. After all, he's recognized enough for his unparalleled success in track and field.
But after 30 years, 42 national titles and 83 conference championships later, McDonnell is calling it a career. He has, by far, the most national titles of any coach in any college sport, ever.
The next closest is Texas A&M; track coach Pat Henry, with 27.
Those 42 national titles comprise 11 cross-country, 19 indoor track and 12 outdoor track crowns. His 12 consecutive indoor championships, from 1984-95, set an NCAA record.
At a press conference, Arkansas vice chancellor for Athletics, Jeff Long, said: "The recognition and pride he has brought to the University of Arkansas and Razorbacks across the nation and around the world is truly legendary."
McDonnell said he was stepping down to spend more time with his wife.
"She has sacrificed a lot for the sake of track and field," he said. "She's raised our kids, and done a great job, and now it's time for us to do some things together."
Powell, has known McDonnell for over 25 years, wasn't surprised. He described McDonnell as a man who held traditional values.
"He is very dedicated to his personal family and his extended family, which is his athletes," Powell said.
"Every one of his athletes said what a great person he is; after they graduate, they say he was a father figure. He's given a lot to track, a lot to Arkansas, and he deserves his time off.
"It's great to see coaches with values like his, that coaching is about developing people, not just winning."
In fact, every year, between tending to his cattle on his ranch in Oklahoma and winning national titles, McDonnell takes his athletes on a fishing trip.
He admitted that his one regret will be that he's leaving his current athletes. But he'll undoubtedly miss winning as well.
Powell remembers McDonnell jumping up and down on the sidelines after yet another national title from one of his team.
Powell asked him, half-joking, if it ever got old winning national titles.
"It never gets old," McDonnell answered with a beaming smile.
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