After beginning his career in Safford, AZ, Dale Torrence was the head track and cross country coach at West High School in the Phoenix Union District from 1954-75. Coach Torrence was instrumental in the establishment of prep Cross Country in Arizona and was the first state meet organizer/director. His original Cross Country Meet at Papago Park ballooned into becoming the State Cross Country Track Meet. Torrence was also the father of the Arizona Track Coaches Association. Although his Thunderbirds never won a team title, countless individuals were state champions under Dale's coaching. One year, back in the 1960's, Dale had three 13' pole vaulters from his team listed on the National rankings list. Whenever schools, coaches, or individuals needed information or assistance in track or cross county, they turned to Dale Torrence for the answers. Torrence once had a mini-All-Star Track Meet at the ACA All Star Football Game at half time. Coach Torrence, and his wife Carol, were responsible for pubishing the ever changing individual event rankings for track and cross country athletes for years. Many of Torrence's innovations are still in vogue in the track world today. Carol Torrence continued to keep the newsletters and event rankings current for 20 years after her husband's death in 1975. Mrs. Torrence blessed the Hall of Fame inductees for years singing the Star Spangled Banner at the annual Hall of Fame banquet. Coach Torrence's daughter, Shari went on to coach archery at ASU and she won more National Championships in one sport than any other coach, ever, 69. Shari also coached the USA Olympic archery team twice. ...and she's married to a two-time Silver Medalist in archery. Coach Torrence was also a charter member of the Arizona Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame.