CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame
Years at CSU Pueblo: 1956-84
Category: Coach/Contributor
Sports: Track and Cross Country
Eras: Pueblo Junior College (1937-63), Southern Colorado State College (1963-75)
James "Spank" Blasing was a longtime fixture at Pueblo Junior College, Southern Colorado State College and the University of Southern Colorado. From 1956 to 1984, he led the track and field program, and in 1960, was tasked to start the cross country program, which grew into one of the region's best.Â
In the school's time as a four-year institution from 1964-84, Blasing's teams scored points in 12 of 21 national meets, reaching a high-water point in 1967, when SCSC finished seventh in the nation and won national championships in two events. In all, 21 all-American honors were won by tracksters during this era, and Spank's teams won two RMAC Championships in 1979 and in1983. He also coached four cross country all-Americans.
In addition to his duties coaching the track and field and cross country programs, Spank was the assistant football coach from 1956 to 1960 and assistant athletic director for CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame charter member, Harry Simmons. Upon Simmons' retirement from USC in 1980, Spank served as athletic director for two years.
