Born September 28, 1937, in West Milton, Ohio.

Until 1964, American distance runners had never won both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter events at the same Olympics. Bob Schul changed that in 1964 when, a few days after Billy Mills unexpectedly won the longer event, Schul triumphed in the 5,000.

Despite an asthmatic condition as a youth, Schul served in the U.S. Air Force and later developed into a good distance runner for Miami (Ohio) University. In the spring of 1964, he broke the American record for the 5,000 with a time of 13:38.0 at the Compton (Calif.) Invitational. Soon after, Schul proved his mark was no fluke when he won the U.S. 5,000 title and finished first at the first of two Olympic Trials. Schul's win in a USA-USSR dual meet increased his confidence; he brashly predicted an Olympic triumph. Schul made good on his promise, courtesy of a withering 54.8 final lap. A year after the Games, Schul won the national three-mile title. He is still active in the sport as a coach in Ohio.