Ivan Dresser

Before becoming a track star ar Cornell, Ivan Dresser was an outstanding cross-country runner and, as captain of the varsity team in 1917, he was the individual winner of the IC4A race. At the 1920 Olympics, Dresser did not finish the 5,000 m race, but a few days later joined Hal Brown, Mike Devaney, Arlie Schardt and Larry Shields in the 3,000 m team event. Brown won the race, with Schardt third and, with three runners from each country to score, Dresser's sixth place assured the U.S. of the gold. In 1925, Ivan Dresser joined General Motors and rose to become one of their top executives. He successively held posts as sales manager in Belgium, managing director in Mexico, and manager of the European-South African Region. At his death, he was special assistant to the general manager of General Motors. In 1955, King Baudouin of Belgium conferred the honor of Office of the Order of Leopold II on Ivan Dresser and, among his many civic commitments, he was a member of the board of governors of the New York City Symphony Orchestra.

Personal Bests: 2 miles – 9:22.4 (1920); 5000 – 15:41.8 (1920).