East Texas A&M University Athletics

Bagiackas was a two-year letterwinner with the East Texas State men’s track and field team from 1960-61. During his time, Bagiackas established himself as one of the top middle distance runners not just in the Lone Star Conference, but in the country as well. He set the school record in the 800 meter run in 1960, posting a time of 1:51.80, a mark which stood for 53 years.

Bagiackas also was the anchor leg of the Lions’ sprint and distance medley teams as the team captured the National College Championship in 1960, finishing the season undefeated in the college division. The team was ranked third in the nation by the Track and Field News, placing first at the prestigious Texas, Kansas and Drake Relays as the Lions captured the 1960 Lone Star Conference championship while placing second at the NAIA national championship. In 1961, Bagiackas continued to help East Texas State establish itself among the nation’s best, capturing the distance medley championship at the Kansas Relays and the sprint medley championship at the Texas Relays.