Gallagher was a transfer to Claremont McKenna College who spent two years as the strength of the middle-distance and cross country teams. He graduated as the school record holder in the 1,500 meters (3:50.6) and held the record for 23 years. He was a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Championships and was the SCIAC champion in the 1,500 in 1978. He also was the track team captain in 1980. Gallagher earned first-team All-SCIAC honors in cross country as a senior, and second-team All-SCIAC honors as a junior.