Donna on the Side - Special Edition
the National Track and Field Hall of Fame
by Donna Dye
The world of track and field with all the stories and successes is now on display for all to see at the National Track and Field Hall of Fame at the Armory in Washington Heights, New York City. The National Track and Field Hall of Fame was begun in 1974 in Charleston West Virginia and stayed there until the mid-1990's when it became a traveling exhibit before closing due to space limitations in Indianapolis. Earlier this year, the USA Track and Field, holder of the Hall of fame, solicited bids from cities around the country. The Armory was selected from nine cities that chose to participate in the competition. Today, The Hall of Fame has settled in at its new home in the Armory. A grand debut of the Hall of Fame was celebrated January 24, 2004 as the 9th New Balance Games was being run in the same building. The New York Armory is located in upper Manhattan at 168th and Fort Washington Avenue, a short block from subway station at 168th and Broadway.
The Hall of Fame will be open to the public Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm. Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.
Dr. Norbert Sander, President of the Armory Foundation, said, "By adding the Hall of Fame, we can celebrate the athletes who have earned legendary status and educate young people about the sport's history."
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| The "Wall of Fame" is a glass wall etched with the names of 197 inductees in the Hall of Fame. The wall greets athletes and visitors to the Armory. You look through the glass wall as if looking through history to the action of today on the Armory track. Look closely through the glass and you can see the interior of the track. |
The National Track and Field Hall of Fame
A peak at the National Track and Field Hall of Fame to heighten your interest. If you're a track and field athlete, fan, parent, you need to visit the Hall and experience the rich history of track and field.
| Enter and be immediately immersed into the world of faster, higher and further. Step inside and walk on track lanes. Look above into plasma TVs. See yourself reflected on a wall where runners run. |
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| In the Auditorium sit back and watch a short film on the sport of track and field and "its living legacy-the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. " |
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The National Hall of Fame is not all history. There are many helpful exhibits designed to help current athletes improve their heath, fitness and skills. Some of the exhibits deal with physiology, nutrition and biomechanics. Tips for improving mental skills are provided by champions through short films, videos, displays and audio. Two of the more motivating exhibits are "What Makes a Champion," and "Thinking Like a Champion." |
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| There's a wonderful exhibit "A Day in the Life" of a Champion, featuring world champion Marion Jones and a High School Athlete, I.Perfection Harris. Now at Villanova, Harris was a high school athlete at Poly Tech on Staten Island and competed frequently at the Armory. The exhibit deals with training off season, in season and during competition. In the exhibit, Marion talks to athletes about her life as an athlete. |
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| TheFred Lebow Marathon Hall is devoted to the marathon in honor of the late Fred Lebow, who was the Director of the New York Marathon and along with Allen Steinfeld, the current Director, helped to build the New York Marathon into the great event it is today. |
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| The map of the New York Marathon in the center of the Lebow Hall is the main feature of this area. This is not your AAA map stretched out on a floor. This one is different. It comes to life as you step on it with cries, cheers, whistles and all the other sounds of the marathon. You walk away energized by the excitment. |
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Getting Into the Hall of Fame
In the words of the founders of the Hall of Fame, it's purpose is "Through the recognition of past track greats by their induction to the Hall of Fame, we hope to encourage others, particularly American youth to strive to even greater athletic accomplishments."
There were 24 inductees in the first group including such track and field greats as: Wilma Rudolph, Al Oerter, Harrison Dillard and Babe Didricksen. Since that year an additional 173 athletes, coaches and other contriutors to the sport have been elected to the Hall of Fame.
Under rules established by USA Track & Field, inductees are chosen annually by voters from all facets of the track and field community. Four or more new inductees are elected each year. This year's inductees are John Carlos, Larry James, Mike Larrabee and Mary Decker Slaney.
Thanks to the Armory and the National Track and Field Hall of Fame for many of the facts and pictures included in this article.
The Grand Opening Luncheon
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Dr. Norbert Sander, founder and president of the Armory Foundation in New York City welcomed the National Track and Field Hall of Fame to the Armory, which started having track meets in 1912..
Sander said, "The Hall of Fame will make the Armory a monument to the sport of track and field. It will accelerate the growth of the sport for our youth, our future Olympians."
Sander has worked tirelessly to revive the Armory from its nadir as a homeless shelter in the 1980s. Dr. Sander raised millions of dollars and the support of New York's movers and shakers, as well as the track and field community. The Armory is host to 100 meets each year involving 300,000 athletes and families. The Armory is a fitting place for the Hall of Fame.
Sander competed at the Armory as a student at Fordham Prep School and Fordham University . He was a member of the 1963 Penn Relays 4x1 mile championship team and won the New York City Marathon, New Orleans Marathon and Yonkers Marathon, all in 1974. |
Faces at the opening luncheon celebration
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Ian Brooks, Master of Ceremonies for the Luncheon. Ian is a long time track and field fan and enthusiast who also announces races and meets. To hear him announce a race in the Armory is to die for. Ian excites the crowd with upbeat remarks rising above the music, screams, and cheers. |
Hall of Famer Billy Mills with John Dye of DyeStat. The Olympic 10000 meter Gold Medal winner now spends his time as a motivational speaker. He is also the national spokesperson for Running Strong For American Indians, an organization devoted to improving the life of Indians, particularly youth. More information about Billy and Running Strong for Indian Youth is available at http://www.indianyouth.org/billy.html. |
Hall of Famer Al Oerter with wife Cathy. The legendary Al Oerter is a 4 time Olympic Gold Medal winner in the discus. He has given up the discus for paints and brushes. He is now fully engaged as an artist. His work can be viewed on his web site http://www.aloerter.com. Oerter continues to speak on behalf of the Olympic movement and appears for various corporate clients.
Cathy, too, has an athletic background. She was an accomplished long jumper and help to pioneer women's track at Iowa State University..
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| Hall of Famer, Chandra Cheeseborough. Today Chandra coaches the famed Tiger Belles at her alma mater, Tennessee State University. |
Chandra Cheesborough in 1991 competing in the National championships. |
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Some of the Movers and Shakers of Track and Field: Walt Murphy, Dave Johnson, Dr.Norbert Sander, Ian Brooks and Jack Pfeifer |
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Dr Norbert Sander, President, The Armory Foundation; Craig Masback, USATF CEO; and Allen Steinfeld, New York Road Runners Club |
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| Bill Miller, New York Times Reporter, Walt Murphy TV Track Consultant, Katherine DeFoyd, The Armory Foundation, and Dave Johnson, Director of the Penn Relays |
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The Grand Opening, January 24
Truly a festive event, the Grand Opening was filled with wonderful words for those who made the Hall of Fame possible and those who were in the Hall of Fame. VIPs and guests mingled, munched on goodies, and experienced the many and varied exhibits.
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