1992 Hall of Fame Inductee
An outstanding sprinter for O'Dea High School in Seattle (9.5 for 100 yards in 1963), Greene developed into one of the world's top sprinters in the 1960s. Competing for the University of Nebraska, the 5' 8", 148-pound Greene won six national collegiate titles (three indoors, three outdoors) from 1965 to 1967. Considered a sure bet to make the 1964 team, Greene suffered muscle pulls that held him to a sixth place at the Olympic Trials. By 1968, however, Greene was back and better than ever, setting world records in both the 100 yards and 100 meters. At the 1968 Championships in Sacramento, Greene, fellow Hall of Famer Jim Hines, and Ronnie Ray Smith all made track history by dipping under 10 seconds with times of 9.9 seconds in their semi-finals. Dubbed "the Night of Speed" for its brilliant performances, the competition was capped by Greene's victory in the finals. At the 1968 Olympic Games, Greene was again bothered by injuries and finished third in the 100. Despite the injury, he led off the U.S. 4x100m relay team that won the gold medal and set a world record of 38.2 seconds. Following his athletic career, Greene became a career Army officer, serving as sprint coach at West Point and head coach of the All-Army team. After retiring with the rank of major, he became a director for Special Olympics International and is still active in the sport.
World Record: 100 m - 9.90 (June 20, 1968 - )
1968 Olympics: 100 m (3rd) 1968 Olympics: 400 m relay - 38.20 (1st) 1965 NCAA Indoors: 60 yd. (1st) 1965 NCAA Outdoors: 100 yd. (1st) 1966 NCAA Indoors: 60 yd. (1st) 1966 NCAA Outdoors: 100 yd. (1st) 1967 NCAA Indoors: 60 yd. (1st) 1967 NCAA Outdoors: 100 yd. (1st)
U.S. Army officer Coach Director of Special Olympics