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.
Villanova’s Delany Starred In NCAA 1500/Mile
Ron Delany won four career titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships, including three consecutive 1500/mile crowns from 1956 to 1958. He set MRs in the 1500 (3:47.3) & mile (4:03.5).
Patience Paid Off For Stanford’s Plumer In 1984
PattiSue Plumer finally broke through at the 1984 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Plumer set the 5K MR of 15:39.38 after finishing runner-up in the 3K three consecutive times.
NCAA 100 On Spring Break
With the plethora of collegiate track & field and cross country slated to take place over the first-half of March, our daily posts highlighting the best from a century of NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take a “spring break” from March 1-15.
Gig ‘Em, Lindon: Victor Ruled The Decathlon
Lindon Victor won back-to-back decathlon titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2016 & 2017. He has the No. 2 & No. 3 largest point totals in meet history.
Greene Came Up Clutch In 1989 Long Jump
One of Joe Greene’s best days of long jumping started off dismally. It would end with a victory in one of the most memorable competitions in the near 100-year history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
SMU’s Dean Starred In The Javelin At NCAAs
Windy Dean is the only woman in NCAA DI history to win three consecutive javelin titles at the Outdoor Championships. Dean did so from 1996 to 1998.
Cal’s Williams Set World Record In 1936
Archie Williams set a world record in the 400 of 46.1 in the heats of the 1936 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Williams then won the NCAA title by just 0.1 seconds!
Coghlan Made History In Back-To-Back Years
Eamonn Coghlan made history in back-to-back years at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1975 & 1976!
Henderson Set 400-Meter Records In 2005
Monique Henderson set a collegiate record in the 400 of 50.10 at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Fight On, Clancy: Edwards Doubled Up With MRs
Clancy Edwards completed the 100-200 double at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships with meet records in each event – 10.07 in the 100 & 20.16 in the 200.