2002 Hall of Fame Inductee
One of the most accomplished U.S. men's pole vaulters in history, Earl Bell tied Thierry Vigneron of France for the bronze medal at the 1984 Olympic Games with a clearance of 18-4.50. Bell qualified for two additional U.S. Olympic teams, placing sixth in 1976 and fourth in 1988. The gold medalist at the 1975 Pan American Games, Bell also won the silver medal at the 1987 World Indoor Championships and the bronze medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games. Bell won three U.S. Outdoor (1976, 1984, 1990) and three U.S. Indoor (1980, 1984, 1987) titles during his career. At Arkansas State University, he won three NCAA Outdoor titles (1975, 1976, 1977) and two NCAA Indoor titles (1975, 1976). Bell set the world outdoor record of 18-7.25 on May 29, 1976 in Wichita, Kansas., and set an American record of 19-0.25 in San Jose, Calif. on June 9, 1984. He now is renowned as one of the top pole vault coaches in the country, with American record holder Jeff Hartwig, Olympians Kellie Suttle and Chad Harting, and 2001 World Indoor silver medalist Tye Harvey among the athletes training under him. Events Pole Vault - 5.87 m Records Held World Record: Pole Vault - 5.67 m (May 29, 1976) American Record: Pole Vault - 5.80 m (June 9, 1984) Championships 1976 Olympics: Pole Vault (6th) 1984 Olympics: Pole Vault - 5.60 m (3rd) 1988 Olympics: Pole Vault (4th) 1986 Goodwill Games: Pole Vault (3rd) 1987 World Indoors: Pole Vault (2nd) 1976 US Outdoors: Pole Vault (1st) 1980 US Indoors: Pole Vault (1st) 1984 US Indoors: Pole Vault (1st) 1984 US Outdoors: Pole Vault (1st) 1987 US Indoors: Pole Vault (1st) 1990 US Outdoors: Pole Vault (1st) 1975 Pan Am Games: Pole Vault (1st) 1975 NCAA Indoor: Pole Vault (1st) 1975 NCAA Outdoor: Pole Vault (1st) 1976 NCAA Indoor: Pole Vault (1st) 1976 NCAA Outdoor: Pole Vault (1st) 1977 NCAA Outdoor: Pole Vault (1st) Occupations Coach