Naming the new Harvard track was no problem.

"Who else would we name it after?" Co-Captain Steve Ezeji-Okoye asked. "After all Bill McCurdy is Harvard Track.

On Sunday morning at a.m., when the outdoor track is dedicated to William Walkers McCurdy. Harvard will be paying tribute to a man who has dedicated more than three decades of his life to Harvard track.

McCardy joined the Crimson coaching staff in 1950 as an assistant and freshman coach, after serving as cross counters coach at Springfield College. Two years later when Coach Jaako Mikola, tired, McCurdy was named head coach of the Harvard men's cross country indoor, and outdoor track teams.

Under this graduate from 1952-81, the cross-country squad compiled a 201-62-1 record captured 10 Greater Boston Championship (GBC) titles, six Heptatagonal trophies and one IC4A championship.

His indoor track teams amassed 132 victories against just 30 losses, with 12 GBC and eight Heps titles Outdoors, his numbers read 112-261, 15 GBCs and live more Hops.

What has made McCurdy a Harvard back legend is not merely his lifetime 445-1202 ledget, however, but also his ability to motivate his runners, while displaying a sense of humor.

"McCurdy always helped keep things in perspective." Ezeji-Okoye said. "Almost everyone has been the victim of the McCurdy put-down.

The Harvard mentor got his start in track at Tamplais High School in his hometown of Mill Valley, Calif. He continued to run while attending Stanford from 1933-37.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and became the Deputy Dig rector of Army Physical Training before taking the Springfield job.

Since his retirement as Harvard head coach at the end of the '82 campaign, McCurdy has been spending time with his wife Virginia at their home in Harvard, Mass. In his own words, he has been "developing an innate talent at being busy doing nothing." He also has continued to coach former Crimson track standout Adam Dixon.

Despite keeping tabs on the progress of the Harvard track program, the track dedication caught him off guard.

"It came as a complete surprise," McCurdy said. "I was minding my own business when the phone rang and a voice said. "This is Jack Reardon." My first thought was, "What have I done now?."

The dedication ceremony and McCurdy's presence give this weekend's Heps special significance.

According to Co-Captain John Perkins. "This meet is all about what he stood for."