Rhoden Keeps Historic Company
George Rhoden of Morgan State didn’t catch anyone by surprise at the 1951 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Seattle.
That happens when you’re not only the defending champion, but also reigning world-record holder, a combination of honors not yet seen in the 400 meters/440 yards.
Any suspense would come in how Rhoden dealt with the 440/220 double, one only successfully achieved by Herb McKenley of Illinois in 1946 and 1947.
READ MORE: The 440-220 Double Is So Nice, McKenley Did It Twice
Rhoden handled it masterfully, winning the 440 by far more than necessary as his 46.5 gave him an event-record winning margin of 0.7 seconds.
The 220 was held on a straightaway and featured three of the 100-yard finalists, topped by winner Art Bragg, a sophomore running in his first NCAA meet. Bragg, a teammate of Rhoden, found his match in this event as Rhoden won in 20.7.
Amazingly, the duo of Rhoden and Bragg compiled 38 points for Morgan State – good enough for third place in the team standings. That team finish remains the best in meet history by an HBCU program.
Rhoden – who never lost a 400/440 collegiate race in four years – had more history ahead of him. He won the 1952 NCAA 400 title – still one of three men with three in the event – and later in the summer won gold at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He added more gold by anchoring the Jamaican 4×400 team to a world record.
Rhoden turns 94 years old today. He is one of the oldest living NCAA champions.
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.
ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).
Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.
D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.
Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.
Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.
Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!
EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.
Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.
Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.