Brigham Young University (1971-1975)
NCAA Mile Champion 1974 Paul CummingsCummings was named All-American five years in a row while running on the Brigham Young University Track and Cross Country teams. However, after his Freshman year, he was diagnosed with an extra bone in his foot and in order to run again, would have to undergo surgery to remove the bone. Cummings recovered, and by his junior year became the NCAA champion in the mile run. Cummings was the first runner from the Intermountain West to break the Four-minute mile barrier. His personal best for the mile, 3:56.4, was run at his birthplace, Tempe, Arizona on March 16, 1974.
Cummings was a Latter-day Saint. He wanted to serve a two year LDS mission, but since LDS Missions are served voluntarily and missionaries serve without compensation, he was unable to raise the required funds. After meeting with LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball, Paul was encouraged to stay in school on an athletic scholarship, earn his degree, and continue to run and compete, sharing his beliefs with those he met through running. Paul did this well and shared his beliefs with many athletes and friends.
BYU Track Coach Clarence Robison said Cummings was "a great performer and has great courage. He's a tenacious, fierce competitor."
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