George Collier's grandmother cold-called Wichita State track coach Herm Wilson, hoping he could give her grandson guidance in between his mowing jobs during the summer of 1977.
"She said she had a grandson who loves to run, but needs some guidance," Collier said. "She loaded me in the car and took me out to Wichita State. Coach Wilson was coaching world-class athletes. He coached Olympians, he coached All-Americans. He was a very busy man. And he took the time to meet with me in his office at Wichita State."
Collier walked out of what was then Henry Levitt Arena with a four-page typed handout on distance running and a future as a Shocker.