Williams Blazed Trail For Black Throwers

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Williams Blazed Trail For Black Throwers

June 11, 1932

George Williams made history when he won the javelin title at the 1932 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Chicago, Illinois.

Williams, who competed for Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), became the first Black athlete to capture an NCAA crown in a throwing event thanks to his heave of 215-0. Not only did the Hampton senior PR by nearly 10 feet, but he also won by more than 10 feet – and tied what was the third-best mark in meet history at the time.

After not scoring at the 1931 NCAA Championships, Williams entered the 1932 edition of the meet as the favorite and proved his mettle. He was undefeated during the regular season and won the individual title at the Penn Relays with the Carnival’s first 200-foot throw at 205-2.

Today, Williams remains one of just five Black athletes who have won javelin titles in the near 100-year history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships: Anderson Peters (2018-19) and Curtis Thompson (2016), both of Mississippi State, are the only other men; LSU’s Lavern Eve (1987) and Rice’s Valerie Tulloch (1992, 1994-95) blazed the trail for the women.

Williams, who finished fifth at the 1932 U.S. Olympic Trials, became well-known later in life for his work at the Agricultural Extension Service of Greensville County in Virginia, where he started a clinic for combating tuberculosis.

posted: August 20, 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!