John Woodruff
|
|
John Youie Woodruff (born July 5, 1915) is a former American athlete, winner of 800 m at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, "Long" John Woodruff was only a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 1936, when he took the track world literally by storm by finishing second at the National AAU meet, then making the Olympic team. Despite his inexperience, he was the favorite in the Olympic 800 m and he did not disappoint. He came from behind to win in 1:52.9.
During a career that was curtailed by World War II, Woodruff won one AAU title in 800 m in 1937 and won both 440 yd and 880 yd IC4A titles from 1937 to 1939. Woodruff also held a share of the world 4 x 880 yd relay record while competing with the national team.
Woodruff graduated in 1939, with a major in sociology, and then earned a Masters Degree in the same field from New York University in 1941. He entered military service in 1941 as a Second Lieutenant and was discharged as a Captain in 1945. He reentered military service during the Korean War, and left in 1957 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Then he worked with the New York City Children's Aid Society, taught school in New York City, was a special investigator for the New York Dept. of Welfare, was Recreation Center Director for the New York City Police Athletic League, and served as a parole officer for the state of New York.
In Connellsville every summer are held the John Woodruff 5-K Run and Walk, established to his honor.
External links
- John Woodruff, Connellsville's Olympic Champion by Jim Kriek (http://www.fay-west.com/connellsville/historic/woodruff.php)
- The John Woodruff Story by Julie Bertsch (http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2000/07/1861e2.html)
| Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's 800 m |
|
Teddy Flack | Alfred Tysoe | Jim Lightbody | Paul Pilgrim | Mel Sheppard | Ted Meredith | Albert Hill | Douglas Lowe (twice) | Thomas Hampson | John Woodruff | Mal Whitfield (twice) | Tom Courtney | Peter Snell (twice) | Ralph Doubell | Dave Wottle | Alberto Juantorena | Steve Ovett | Joaquim Cruz | Paul Ereng | William Tanui | Vebjørn Rodal | Nils Schumann | Yuriy Borzakovskiy |