Rhoden Keeps Historic Company

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

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.

posted: December 13, 2020
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!