The Phoenix index., 1940-06-08
U. S. Olympic Coach In Praise OF
Long John Woodruff, Other Sepia
Stars; Rates Jeffrey Over Ellerbe

While the column does not concur with Lawson Rob
erson white head coach of the 1924 1928 1882 and 1886
United States Olympic Track and Field Teams in his
tention in the current issue of LIBERTY magazine that
the 1910 Olympic Games off the probable winner
in the 100 meter dash would be Clyde Jeffrey of Stanford
University, white, Norwood Barney) Ewel of Penn
State College, it is the opinion of the that the emf
nen track authority has turned out piece that is valuable
enough in information and expert opinion to file away for
future reference.
The columns reason for doubling Jeffrey would win the
Olympic 100 meter dash the 1910 Olympic Games
off based solely the fact that the last meeting be-
tween him and the Tuskegee Institute flyer Mozel Elerbe
the latter
However it is fact that in eleven races between the
two dating back to the transforming tour of 1888 in Eu-
Elebe has six times over his touted white rival
that Mr. Robertson feel has the nside track on
the claim for the mythical title of worlds fastest
human
Elerbes last victory over Jeffrey in the NCCA
finals of the 100 yard dash last in Los Angeles Ell
lerbe out to Los Angeles again last month to compete
in the Games for the expressed
of showing Clyde his shirt-ta again But the latter pull
lerbe disappointed but to win the field
left in the creditabIe time of 81 seconds
It is with interest that in the Pacific Coast Con-
ference Track and Field Championships last week. Jeffrey
the 100 yard dash in 99 seconds against virtually the
athletes faced by Elerbe in the Finnish American
Games Reports reveal weather conditions about the
and of course, the track was denticay the same
This doesn't preclude possibility of Mr. Robertson
being right in his hypothesis but does reveal that On
the basis of latest achievements Jeffrey would not figure
to qualify highly than EerbeFor one thing, Eller
bes fine record is supported by successive 100 yard
trumphs in the 1889 and 1910 Penn Relays, 1889
victory in the Invitatona Meet 1898 Drake Re-
lays triumph and 1888 NCAA win up East not to men
ton numerous other victories in major meets where the
tions fastest humans" dwell Despite Stanford UniveTs
Tvs amazing financial budget for athletics, Jeffreys per-
has almost totally restricted to the coast
This is written with full knowledge of Mr. Robertson's
consistent fairness to and beraness with Negro athletes
1t case the columns part of adnirng man for his
high democratic principles and of yet varying with him on
a single point.
Mr. Robertson may have Jeffrey to win the classic
century, but Elerbe for the columns chcken change
Coach Robertson visualzes the day when some lad will
high Jump feet pole vault 16 feet qartermlle
As seconds and mile in four minutes flat This obser
walton based many mechanical improvements Tor Ideal
competition among which are the following:
( "The formula for perfect cinder tracks has been
found and the speed over ground with great
(2) "Take-Ofs for the jumping events better. The
box into which the pole is stabbed in the pole vault is now
made of steel; once it was dirt, and later wood
CD Even the watches getting better They now
split the timing down to tenth of second Fifteen years
ago. only fifth-secOnd cOckng recognized
He thinks that had not Long John Woodruff of Pitts
burgh with his nnefoo stride preferred to compete in the
middle distances he have become the greatest miller the
world knew His verbatim remarks IN THIS vein are re-
produced below:
"Some day young fellow will along with the
great natural speed of spriner the mental attitude of
we will mile in four minutes He will have to be
tall and not Overmuscuar. John Woodruff the present
Olympic champion at 500 meters is physically equipped for
the task But he did not want to be miller His preference
has shorter rather than the longer ones
believe il had wanted to submit to the rigorous
exercise necessary build up distance stamina his nine
stride would have made marks which could stand Tor
long while.
"Ben Eastman, tall blond Stanford University stu
dent the only other have who could nave
been developed the four minute Like Long john
however, he preferred quarter miles.
"The collapse of the Oympcs has been unfortunate for
Woodruff He undoubtedly would have defended his tue
successfully His misfortune is shared probably more poig
nant by other young Americans. After ALL woodruff had
his chance They have it, and of them rat
ed rushed their development with the 1910 Games at
Finland in mind
Coach Robertson pulls punches in attr1butng the
greater frequency smashed track and field records TO the
tremendous forward surge of Negro athletes in track at
ecs He reminds that the United States II OF Is
events the 1886 Olympic Games and that Negro atnete
rofarrad To in the German press as the "Uned States
Black Auxiliares" won exactly six of those first places
Jesse Owens won three outright.