McMurry University Athletics

Paul came to McMurry from Portales High School in New Mexico, where he played football and ran track as a prep.  At McMurry, Paul was a four-year letterman in track and ran under the guidance of head coach Grant Teaff.
 
During his career at McMurry – the seasons of 1958 through 1961 – Rankin ran several sprint events, but had his greatest successes as a member of the various McMurry Relay teams.
 
As a junior in 1960, Rankin and the rest of the Indians’ team won the college division of the West Texas Relays, marking the first time in school history that the track team had ever won a major meet.
 
As a senior in 1961, the mile relay set meet and stadium records at the McMurry Indian Relays and lowered that to 3:13.40 at the Kansas Relays. Rankin also ran the Sprint Medley Relay, the 880 relay and the open 440.  That season, the McMurry track team won six meet championships. Rankin ran on relay teams that earned medals seemingly wherever they ran: Texas Wesleyan Relays, Kansas Relays, West Texas Relays, the Border Olympics and the NAIA National Championships.
 
As further testament to his leadership ability, he was a two-year team captain for McMurry.
 
Rankin was involved in the KIVA Social Club, Intramural Council, Interclub Council and Circle K…outside of athletics. He graduated from McMurry with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in January of 1962. 
 
Rankin joined the United States Navy, where he served with distinction from 1962-1972. He reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander, leading a fighter squadron! He flew 273 combat missions and logged 410 carrier landings as a Naval Flight Officer. He served aboard the USS America and the USS Constellation.
 
His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation as the top Navy fighter squadron;  he earned 16 air medals…three with bronze stars for valor;  he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for valor in combat, and;  he was twice awarded the Viet Nam Cross for valor.
 
When his career in the Navy came to a close, Rankin then enjoyed a career as a Certified Public Accountant for 13 years, until his retirement in 2004.