Won recognition for his success as head football coach at Mankato State University, a NCAA Division II school in Minnesota. Won a total of 10 varsity letters while competing in baseball, football and basketball for the Blueboys. He served as captain of the basketball team and won the Al Miller High GPA Award in both basketball and baseball. A Rushville native, Runkle later earned his master’s degree at Western Illinois University and coached two seasons at Jacksonville High School. At Mankato, Runkle guided the Mavericks to two NCAA postseason appearances and one North Central Conference championship. In 11 seasons at Mankato, he is credited with elevating the football program to contender status in what is considered one of the nation’s top Division II conferences. Before accepting the Mankato post in 1981, Runkle was a football assistant at the University of South Dakota, Northern Arizona University and the University of Minnesota. Currently the athletic director at the University of Dubuque.