Day 23: "Lee Quincy Calhoun"

Hey family,

On this day in 1933, the 2X Olympic Gold Medalist, Lee Calhoun was born. Calhoun was born in Laurel, MS and attended college at North Carolina Central University (an HBCU). While there, he won numerous awards including the NCAA 120 yard/110 meter hurdles in 1956 and 1957. He also participated in the 1956 Summer Olympics where he beat his personal best time and won the gold medal for the 110 meter hurdles. After being suspended for track in 1958 for receiving gifts, most people thought he had passed his time.... They thought WRONG. He returned in the 1960 Summer Olympics with a win in a similar fashion as 1956. He was the first person to ever to win the 110 meter hurdles in two different Olympic Games. He then moved to the other side of the field as a coach. He began his time as a coach at Grambling University, then at Yale, and finally at Western Illinois University. He was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974. He was an assistant Olympic coach in 1976 and was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1990. His legacy also lives on at North Carolina Central University specifically through the annual running of the Lee Calhoun High School Invitational hosted by North Carolina Central.

Peace and Love,

DeidreVee