Named: USATF Hall Of Fame Candidates
There are a dozen candidates in the running for 3 categories (see “Last Lap”).
Died: Jim Bibbs, 97
On October 10. As a sprinter at what is now Eastern Michigan, Bibbs, who had turned down a New York Yankees offer after high school, tied the WR for 60y in ’51. In ’68 he became Michigan State’s first black coach and in nearly 30 years he guided 52 Big 10 champions. In ’67 he coached the U.S. women at the Pan-Am Games. In 2015 he was inducted into the USTFCCCA Hall Of Fame.
Died: John Dobroth, 85
On October 23. The Occidental high jumper tied for 3rd in the ’70 AAU and was a 5-time U.S. Ranker, with a No. 2 in ’65.
Died: Marlene Fuchs, 84
On October 05, in Euskirchen, Germany. A 3-time World Ranker in the shot, the West German placed 7th in the ’68 Olympics. She World Ranked No. 7 in ’68, the best of her three Rankings.
Died: Frank Gagliano, 89
On October 25. “Gags,” a former collegiate football player became one of the best middle distance coaches in America. After a stint at Rutgers, he headed Georgetown for 16 years, winning 23 Big East titles. He was assistant coach for Team USA at the ’97 Worlds and later coached his New Jersey-New York TC. He was named to the USTFCCCA Hall Of Fame in ’03.
Died: Toya Jones, 49
On October 22, in Refugio, Texas; of a heart attack. A two-sport star for Texas A&M who later played in the NFL, he ran on A&M’s winning 4×1 at the ’97 NCAA.
Died: Manfred Letzerich, 84
On September 28. Competing for West Germany, he World Ranked No. 7 in the steeplechase in ’66, with a No. 8 the next year. He was also No. 8 in the 10,000 in ’66.
Died: Lothar Milde, 91
On October 05, in Halle an der Saale, Germany. Competing for East Germany he won discus silver at the ’68 Olympics and was a 4-time European medalist. He World Ranked 5 times, with a No. 3 in ’68. ◻︎
