Easton, "Bill" (Millard E.)
Track and field
b. Sept. 13, 1906, Stinesville, IN
As a coach at Drake University from 1941 through 1947, Easton produced three consecutive NCAA champion cross-country teams, from 1944 through 1946. He also served as director of the Drake Relays while he was there.
In the fall of 1947, Easton went to Kansas University as track and cross-country coach. His Kansas teams won NCAA outdoor track championships in 1959 and 1960 and the cross-country title in 1953. Before his retirement in 1965, they won 39 Big Eight conference championships in cross-country and track.
Easton coached 32 All-American athletes and 8 Olympians, including Al Oerter, who won four Olympic gold medals in the discus throw.