Cal’s Williams Set World Record In 1936
Archie Williams of California couldn’t believe what he heard during his 400-meter preliminary heat at the 1936 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Chicago’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Field.
Athletes from rival schools were urging him to slow down, but Williams sped on. He had blazed past 200 in an unofficial 21.6 – just off his PR of 21.5.
“I bet these guys are trying to make me run a lousy time,” Williams recounted his thoughts years later.
Williams did ease up, but that was just before the finish. His announced final time was shocking – 46.1, shaving a tenth of a second off the world record of 46.2. Just a week earlier, Williams had challenged the WR, running a collegiate record 46.3.
The rest of that heat proved to be impressively fast as only the top-2 were guaranteed spots in the final. Harold Smallwood of Southern California and Harold Cagle of Oklahoma Baptist followed in 46.4 and 46.5, respectively – both under the NCAA meet record of 47.0.
The next day’s final was surprisingly close as Williams (47.0) held off USC’s Al Fitch (47.1) for the title. Later that summer, Williams won the Berlin Olympics by inches and finished the year with seven races of 46.7 or faster – a collection of depth that wouldn’t be seen again until 1948.
After graduation, Williams earned his pilot’s license and as a civilian was one of the initial flying instructors for the famous Tuskegee Airmen, a segregated group of black military pilots during World War II. He later joined the U.S. Army Air Forces, flying missions in World War II and then the Korean War after the creation of the U.S. Air Force.
The NCAA and collegiate track & field will mark a momentous milestone in the spring of 2021 -- the 100th anniversary of the NCAA Championships and with that, the NCAA Track & Field Championships. In June 1921, the University of Chicago hosted the first track & field championships in NCAA history.
This point can’t be emphasized enough: Not only was the event the first for NCAA track & field, but the first championships for any sport under the sponsorship of the NCAA.
To celebrate, over each of the next 365 days, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will celebrate moments, student-athletes, and coaches that have made a century’s worth of championships special. From humble beginnings to important historical milestones to the modern-day, collegiate track & field has evolved with the American society.
The 2021 edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin with preliminary round action on May 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla., and College Station, Texas. The championships final site and culmination of the celebration is slated for June 9-12, 2021 at the newly rebuilt Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Ritchie Doubles Down In The Throws
Meg Ritchie of Arizona became the first woman in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win any two events in 1982.
Three-For-Three: Woodruff Made It Look Easy
John Woodruff of Pittsburgh won three consecutive 800/880 titles at the NCAA Track & Field Championships from 1937 to 1939.
The Tie Goes To The Runner(s)
Bill Straub of Army and Jim Murphy of Air Force TIED for the 5000-meter title at the 1964 NCAA Track & Field Championships!
Ottey’s Audacious Quadruple In 1983
Merlene Ottey of Nebraska sought to win NCAA titles in the 100, 200, 400 and 4×100 relay in 1983.
He’s Great: LSU’s Davis Soars To History
Walter Davis, who turns 41 today, scored 22¼ points at the 2002 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship to lead LSU to the national team title.
Scott Neilson Is NCAA T&F’s Mr. Canada
Scott Neilson of Washington won four consecutive hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships between 1976 and 1979.
A Crowning Moment For Rogers In 2017
Back in 2017, Raevyn Rogers of Oregon dazzled at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a victory in the 800 and a sizzling anchor on the winning 4×400 relay.
Robinson Brothers Make NCAA T&F History
Can you name the first set of siblings to win NCAA Track & Field titles? We’ll give you a hint: Their last name is Robinson.
UTEP’s Nyambui Goes 7-For-7 Outdoors
Suleiman Nyambui of UTEP never lost a race at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He went a perfect 7-for-7 over four years.
Oxy’s Gutowski Vaults To Record Heights
Bob Gutowski of Occidental won the pole vault at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 4.82m (15-9¾), a mark that surpassed the world record but was never ratified.