Chico State Athletics

Mike Dailey helped establish Chico State as a national force in distance running during the late 1960s and early 1970s. After a standout junior college career at the College of San Mateo, Dailey arrived at Chico State in 1969 and became the program’s first cross country All-American, finishing 10th at the NCAA Championships.

His performance helped lead Chico State to a third-place team finish at the 1969 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Dailey also earned first-team All-Far Western Conference honors in 1969 and 1970 and, alongside Bob Darling and Jim Estes, was part of Chico State’s first group of All-American cross country runners.

Dailey also excelled on the track, setting Chico State records in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:02.4 and in the 3-mile run in 1971.

After graduating with a degree in physical education, Dailey built a long career in teaching, coaching and athletic administration at Fairfield High School. He later led the boy’s track program to seven league titles and three Division I section championships and was inducted into the Fairfield High School Hall of Fame in 2016.