Men's title
- Distance: 4 miles (6.4 kilometers)
Team Result (Top 10)
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
 | Michigan State | 28 |
 | Kansas | 88 |
 | Texas | 89 |
| 4 | Illinois | 128 |
| 5 | Saint Joseph's | 166 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 175 |
| 7 | Penn State | 192 |
| 8 | Indiana | 200 |
| 9 | Miami (OH) | 219 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 228 |
| 1956 NCAA Cross Country Championships | |
|---|---|
| Organisers | NCAA |
| Edition | 18th |
| Date | November 26, 1956 |
| Host city | East Lansing, MI Michigan State College |
| Venue | Forest Akers East Golf Course |
| Distances | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
| Participation | 115 athletes |
← 1955 1957 → | |
The 1956 NCAA Cross Country Championships were contested at the 18th annual NCAA-sanctioned cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Held on November 26, 1956, the meet was hosted by Michigan State College at the Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. The distance for the race was 4 miles (6.4 kilometers).
Since the current multi-division format for NCAA championship did not begin until 1973, all NCAA members were eligible. In total, 14 teams and 115 individual runners contested this championship. [1]
The team national championship was won by the Michigan State Spartans, their fifth and second consecutive. The individual championship was won by Walter McNew, from Texas, with a time of 19:55.94. [2]
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 28 |
| Kansas | 88 |
| Texas | 89 |
| 4 | Illinois | 128 |
| 5 | Saint Joseph's | 166 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 175 |
| 7 | Penn State | 192 |
| 8 | Indiana | 200 |
| 9 | Miami (OH) | 219 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 228 |
The 1938 NCAA Cross Country Championship was the first annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Prior to 1938, the national championship for collegiate cross country was organized, first, by the Inter-Collegiate Cross Country Association and, second, the Inter-Collegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America.
The 1939 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the second annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1940 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the third annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1941 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the fourth annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1942 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the fifth annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1944 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the sixth annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1946 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the eighth annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1947 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the ninth annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1948 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the tenth annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1949 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 11th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1950 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 12th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1951 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 13th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1952 NCAA Men's Cross Country Championships were the 14th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1953 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 15th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.
The 1954 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 16th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Held on November 22, 1954, the meet was hosted by Michigan State College at the Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. The distance for the race was 4 miles.
The 1955 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 17th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Held on November 28, 1955, the meet was hosted by the newly renamed Michigan State University at the Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. The distance for the race was 4 miles.
The 1957 NCAA Cross Country Championships were the 19th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Held on November 25, 1957, the meet was hosted by Michigan State University at the Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. The distance for the race was 4 miles.
The 1959 NCAA University Division Cross Country Championships were the 21st annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Held on November 23, 1959, the meet was hosted by Michigan State University at the Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. The distance for the race was 4 miles.
The 1962 NCAA University Division Cross Country Championships were the 24th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States. Held on November 26, 1962, the meet was hosted by Michigan State University at the Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. The distance for the race was 4 miles.
The 1964 NCAA University Division Cross Country Championships were the 26th annual cross country meet to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running in the United States.