Ralph H. Metcalfe to be Inducted into Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame
4/14/2022 1:16:00 PM | Track & Field
The induction ceremony will take place on Monday, June 6
MILWAUKEE – Thursday afternoon the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Marquette alumnus Ralph H. Metcalfe will be inducted into the inaugural class of the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame for track & field and cross country. Metcalfe will be inducted along with 29 other athletes. The induction ceremony will take place at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon on Monday, June 6 at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Ralph H. Metcalfe was known as the world's fastest human from 1932-34. Metcalfe was the NCAA champion in the 100- and 200-yard events in 1932-34 and he broke or tied every world record from 40-220 yards. For five consecutive years (1932-36), he captured the AAU 200-meter title, the Central Collegiate Conference 100- and 220-yard crowns and the Drake Relays 100-yard honors in each of his three varsity seasons at Marquette.
Metcalfe served as senior class president and was the captain of the MU track team in 1934. He placed second in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters in the 1932 Olympics and came back in the 1936 Olympics to finish second in the 100 and help the U.S. win gold in the 400-meter relay.
After his college career, he joined the armed forces and served in World War II. After he got out of the army, he went go on to a life of public service and was a congressman for the state of Illinois. He was instrumental in the month of February being recognized as Black History Month.
He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975 and an inaugural member of the M Club Hall of Fame in 1972.
Keep up with the Marquette cross country program through social media by following on Twitter (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and `liking' on Facebook (/MUTFXC).Â
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Ralph H. Metcalfe was known as the world's fastest human from 1932-34. Metcalfe was the NCAA champion in the 100- and 200-yard events in 1932-34 and he broke or tied every world record from 40-220 yards. For five consecutive years (1932-36), he captured the AAU 200-meter title, the Central Collegiate Conference 100- and 220-yard crowns and the Drake Relays 100-yard honors in each of his three varsity seasons at Marquette.
Metcalfe served as senior class president and was the captain of the MU track team in 1934. He placed second in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters in the 1932 Olympics and came back in the 1936 Olympics to finish second in the 100 and help the U.S. win gold in the 400-meter relay.
After his college career, he joined the armed forces and served in World War II. After he got out of the army, he went go on to a life of public service and was a congressman for the state of Illinois. He was instrumental in the month of February being recognized as Black History Month.
He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975 and an inaugural member of the M Club Hall of Fame in 1972.
Keep up with the Marquette cross country program through social media by following on Twitter (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and `liking' on Facebook (/MUTFXC).Â
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