While causes are unknown, Saluki volunteer chaplain Roger Lipe said Cornell had suffered from parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1989.
Cornell — a native of Chelmsford, England — came to America in 1961 on a track scholarship to Southern Illinois. In his time as a Saluki, Cornell was a three-time All-American, a U.S. Track and Field Federation champion and SIU's 1962 Athlete of the Year.
He received his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1965 and completed a master's degree a year later.
Kathleen Raske, SIU's director of track and field/cross-country, said Cornell was a warm, caring, proud Saluki.