Seattle Pacific University Athletics

He was a runner, an evangelist, an author – and a dreamer. Ben Moring also was Seattle Pacific’s first-ever national champion.

A two-time NAIA titlist in the 880-yard run in 1953 and ’54, Moring was a bright, focused and gifted individual.

After growing up on the back streets of Philadelphia, Moring became a Christian at a Billy Graham crusade, and later worked as a youth evangelist. After graduation from Seattle Pacific College, he and relay teammate Eugene Peterson enrolled at New York’s Biblical Seminary. Along with their studies, they competed for the Grand Street Boys Club, running in indoor track meets in places such as Madison Square Garden.

Before his death in 1976, Moring completed a working career that reflected his free and inquiring spirit. He received ordination into the Presbyterian church; organized New York City gang members into the Centurion Cadet Corps (designed to build young Christian soldiers); experimented with movie-making in North Africa; studied Jungian psychotherapy in Zurich; wrote a book about the three wise men titled “Balthazaar, The Black and Shining Prince” (Westminster Press); and finally served as a chaplain at Cornell University.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS (1952-54)

• Seattle Pacific's first national champion.

• NAIA 880 champion, 1953 and 1954.

• Three-time All-America recipient.

• Set school records in 880 and mile relay.

• Member of two-mile relay team which placed second at the Drake Relays.