Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

How close was the 100-yard final at the 1939 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships?

It required a closer look – sort of a photo-finish, except motion pictures were used.

Unfortunately it wasn’t a quick process as the film had to be developed, so the announced results of Stanford’s Clyde Jeffrey winning over defending champion Mozelle Ellerbe of Tuskegee stood until the film could be reviewed, which occurred after the meet was over.

Meet judges and meet referee Amos Alonzo Stagg – who chaired the committee for the first NCAA meet in 1921 – came to the conclusion that it was Ellerbe who had actually won by about 3 inches, both being timed in 9.8.

The reversal meant Ellerbe was not only the fifth man to repeat as 100-yard/meter champion, but the first athlete to repeat in any event from a predominantly black school. Ellerbe’s first NCAA win at the 1938 meet in Minneapolis was also close, but film review wasn’t necessary.

It wasn’t the last time Ellerbe and Jeffrey had a close finish. Three weeks later at the AAU national championships the two tied in a 100-meter heat at a wind-aided 10.2, the same time as Jesse Owens’ world record. Jeffrey won the final later in the day with another wind-aided 10.2 as Ellerbe finished fourth.

posted: May 13, 2021
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
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!

Little Made Big 400H History
June 11, 2016

Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs

Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.

Walton Started It All In The 800

Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.

Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History

Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).