Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Howie Cuff was named KU's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1995, which is presented to the student-athlete with the best body of work during their career.
Cuff, primarily a middle-distance track runner, finished his career on a high note as the track MVP at the ECAC Indoor Championships in 1995. His three titles helped KU to its first-ever ECAC team title. Cuff won the ECAC individual title in the 500- (1:05.72) and 1000-meter runs (2:30.13), setting meet records in both events. Both times were also KU (O'Pake) Fieldhouse records at the time. The 1000 mark currently ranks second all-time, while the 500 mark ranks sixth. Cuff also anchored the 4x400m relay team in that meet, which placed second.
During the 1995 indoor season, Cuff shattered the KU men's 800m record by three seconds at the Rutgers Invitational, placing first in 1:52.8. That time still ranks second in school history. He was KU's only NCAA provisional qualifier that year.
In 1994, Cuff won the 800m run title at the ECAC indoor championships and ran third leg on the ECAC champion mile relay team, helping the KU men to a third-place team finish. Later that season, in the PSAC Outdoor Championships, Cuff ran on the then record-setting champion 1,600m relay team (3:17.74, currently fourth best all-time). He also captured the individual 800m title in a time of 1:53.28, helping the Golden Bears finish in the runner-up spot. Cuff's best outdoor time of 1:53.09 in the 800-meter run still ranks fifth all-time.
Cuff, a Carneys Point, N.J., native, was also a strong support runner for the men's cross country team, often running with the top seven and/or scoring in the top five for the Golden Bears as a sophomore, junior and senior. The men placed third in the PSAC meet and ninth in the regional meet in the fall of 94, Cuff's final season.
Cuff passed away suddenly at age 28 in 2000 in Texas, where he was working.
Back To Hall of Fame
