Glaring Omission in National Track & Field Hall of Fame
Posted November 20th, 2007 at 5:13 PM by Jimmie R. Markham
Section: News & Results, Track & Field
Today the USATF announced the newest inductees into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, the class of 2007: Jane Frederick (pentathlon/heptathlon), Calvin Smith (100m/200m), Glenn Morris (decathlon), George Woods (shot put) and Elvin C. “Ducky” Drake (coach). All are worthy candidates, but Don Bowden, the first American to break four minutes for the mile, should have been a part of this class.
On June 1st, 1957, Bowden, just 20 years old, ran a 3:58.7 mile in Stockton, CA to break Wes Santee’s 4:00.5 American record. By doing so, he became only the 12th man in history to break the 4:00 barrier for the mile run. His time that day also made him the third-fastest miler of all time. Without a doubt, an accomplishment like that stands head and shoulders above almost any other achievement imaginable in American Track & Field.
According to the USATF press release:
There are four categories in which individuals may be voted into the Hall of Fame. Those categories are: Modern athletes, retired less than 25 years; Veteran athletes, retired more than 25 years or more; Coaches; and Contributors. Each category has its own selection committee that chooses the finalists from the list of nominations. Members of the selection committees examine the nominations and evaluate their merit based on objective criteria. Elections for Modern and Veteran athletes are held each year.
Beginning in 2005, elections for Coaches are held in odd numbered years, with Contributors elections in even numbered years. Hall of Fame inductees, members of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame Board and Committees and members of the media comprise the electorate for the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
Bowden has been a finalist in 2007, 2006 and 2003, but he has yet to earn a coveted place in the Hall. The members of the nominating committee for veteran athletes got it wrong. Again. Don Bowden, without question, belongs in the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. I call on the electorate for the National Track & Field Hall of Fame to do the right thing and induct him in 2008.
Sources: [Saratoga News][Recordnet.com]
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Tags: american record, american track & field, calvin smith, don bowden, elvin c. ducky drake, four minute mile, george woods, glenn morris, Hall of Fame, jane federick, mile, National Track & Field Hall of Fame, USA Track & Field, usatf, wes santee
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November 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm