Hubbard Makes World History At NCAAs
DeHart Hubbard of Michigan achieved the first ratified world record ever set at the NCAA Championships on this day in 1925.
The Associated Press article exhibited some of the excitement: “He smashed the world’s record with a jump of 25-10⅞, a record that experts say may stand for all time … Hubbard achieved his record breaking leap on his first jump cleared the take-off with perfect form and sent his body hurtling through space kicking his legs in scissor fashion just before his feet hit the earth.” (It was noted in the same article that Hubbard later sent his daughter a telegraph to celebrate both the record and her first birthday.)
Of course, the world record didn’t last forever (3 years), but remained at the top of the Wolverines’ all-time list until 1980 (55 years).
It was not Hubbard’s first NCAA title, though. In winning the 1923 NCAA long jump, he became the first black NCAA champion in any event, in any sport. Hubbard was unable to defend his NCAA long jump title in 1924 as the meet was canceled to not conflict with the Olympic Trials.
By the time the NCAA meet resumed in 1925, Hubbard was also the reigning Olympic long jump champion, having won the previous summer in Paris. It was a historic victory for Hubbard, as he was the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games.
All eyes were on Hubbard at the NCAA meet in 1925 and he didn’t disappoint. He won the long jump with that world-record effort and smashed the meet record in the 100 yards with a time of 9.8 seconds. Both of those victories gave him even more accolades: He was the first athlete to complete the 100-LJ double and the first two-time LJ winner.
Hubbard also won the long jump in record-setting fashion at the NCAA Championships when it pertains to margin of victory. He won by 1’8¾” in 1923 and 1’8½” in 1925, which sit No. 1 and No. 2 in meet history.
A year after finishing at Michigan, Hubbard equaled the world record in the 100 yards at 9.6, becoming the first to hold the 100 and long jump records at the same time – the only other man with such a collection is Jesse Owens.
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.
Providence’s Smith Left Field In The Dust
Kim Smith won the 5000 meters at the 2004 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 36.04 seconds in 15:48.86 for the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Gatlin Doubled Up In Back-To-Back Years
Justin Gatlin completed back-to-back 100-200 doubles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2001 & 2002. He went 10.08/20.11 & 10.22/20.18 in those respective years.
UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier
Hans Hoglund was the first man to touch the 70-foot barrier in the SP at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He also won by more than 4 feet with his 21.33m (70-0) heave in 1975.
LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018
Aleia Hobbs anchored LSU to a 4×100 relay MR of 42.25 & then doubled back to win the 100 by 0.23 seconds at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Michael Johnson Had 1990 NCAAs To Remember
All eyes were on Michael Johnson of Baylor in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1990 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Riley Completed Unprecedented Double In 2012
Andrew Riley completed the only 100-110H double in NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships history in 2012. Riley won the 100 in 10.27 & then captured the 110H crown in 13.53
Leatherwood Rolled To Back-To-Back 400 Titles
Lillie Leatherwood won back-to-back 400-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1986 & 1987. She set a meet record of 50.90 in that second year.
Iowa’s Jones Made Distance History
Charles “Deacon” Jones set a meet record in the 2-mile at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his time of 8:57.6.
Locke Doubled Up On Sprint Titles In 1926
Roland Locke entered the 1926 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships as the WR holder in the 220. He left with the meet record in that event (20.9) & also won the 100 in 9.9.
McLain Bounded To All-Conditions TJ Best
Erica McLain won the triple jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships by nearly two feet! McLain bounded to an all-conditions meet best at 14.60m (47-11).