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Hall of Fame

Herb McKenley

Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame

Herb McKenley

  • Class
  • Induction
    2017
  • Sport(s)
    Men's Track & Field

TRACK & FIELD • 1946-47

Herb McKenley was a four-time NCAA Champion in the 220 yard and 440 yard dashes in 1946 and 1947. He was an eight-time Big Ten Champion and AAU champion in the 440-yard dash in 1945, 1947 and 1948 and had world best times in the 100 meters (10.3), 200 meters (20.4) and 400 meters (46.2) in 1947. He’s the only person to ever have achieved this feat. McKenley won a gold and three silver medals as a Jamaican sprinter at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games while setting a world record in the 440, and is the only person to have made the finals in all three sprinting events, the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters at the Olympics. McKenley was coach of the Jamaican national team from 1954-73. He died in Kingston, Jamaica in 2007 at the age of 85.

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