(Story taken from the Oglethorpe University website)

ATLANTA, Ga. - Billy Mills, the only American to ever capture gold in the 10,000 meters race at the Olympics, will provide the keynote address at the 2009 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Cross Country Pre-race Banquet held on the campus of Oglethorpe University this Friday.

Oglethorpe University is the host of the 2009 SCAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships and Mills, in addition to providing the student-athlete address at the banquet, will also serve as the honorary starter of the championship races being held at the Georgia International Horse Park on Saturday morning, October 31.

At the 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo, Mills thrilled the 100,000 people in attendance and millions watching worldwide by racing from 25th position all the way to the lead on the final lap of the 10,000 meters. He shattered his personal best in the race by nearly two minutes and his unlikely triumph became the crowning achievement for American long distance runners. Watch Billy Mills' run at the '64 Olympics (YouTube)

Since his Olympic victory, Mills, a Native American of the Lakota Sioux tribe, has been the national spokesperson for Running Strong for American Indian Youth, a project of Christian Relief Services. Additionally, Mills travels the country providing his inspirational message to long distance runners of all ages.