Hunter College Athletics

A four-year letter winner, Backman was a pivotal member of the undefeated Hunter cross country teams that won 28 consecutive meets spanning four years. In 1958, he captured the Municipal College Cross Country Championship, posting a time of 27:14. He was also a top ten Collegiate Track Conference (CTC) medalist. In track and field, Backman set a school record in 1958 in the 880-yard run with a time of 1:57.3. In 1959, he earned a silver medal at the outdoor CTC championships in the half-mile.