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.
Patton Left Legendary Mark On NCAA Sprints
Mel Patton won five sprint titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships between 1947-1949, including back-to-back sweeps of the 100 & 200 (220).
Tough Keeping Up With This Jones
Jolanda Jones won three heptathlon titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and scored more than 6000 points twice.
Student-Athlete + History = Daniel Lincoln
Daniel Lincoln won three consecutive steeplechase titles and also added the 10K crown to his haul in one of those years for the incredible steeplechase-10K double!
Peters At Head Of Jav U’s Class
Anderson Peters won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and broke and bettered the meet record twice.
Fitzgerald Hurdled Into The Record Books
Benita Fitzgerald won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1982 & 1983, setting a collegiate record and meet record with her time of 12.84 in 1983.
Coburn Picked Up Where She Left Off
Emma Coburn won two steeplechase titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, once in 2011 and then again in 2013.
Joe Dial Vaulted To NCAA History
Joe Dial of Oklahoma State was eagerly looking forward to the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
An Illustrious Career For Charlie Craig
Charlie Craig won the triple jump at the 1964 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Then, after a long coaching career, he was inducted into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame!
Two Long Jump Titles For Carol Lewis
Carol Lewis was the first woman to win two long jump titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Harris Set Discus World Record In 1941
Archie Harris set a world record in the discus throw at the 1941 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.