2009 Hall of Fame Inductee
Recognized as the world's finest men's long jumper of the late 1940s, Willie Steele was the favorite to win at the 1948 Olympic Games. Despite a sore ankle that allowed him only two attempts, both of Steele's jumps were good enough to win the gold over the world's best. A two-time USA Outdoor champion, Steele was the 1948 Olympic Trials champion, a two-time NCAA long jump champion, was considered the world's best long jumper in 1942 and 1946, and was world ranked #1 by Track & Field. Steele died September 19, 1989.
Championships 1948 Olympic Games: Long Jump - 7.82 m (1st) 1948 Olympic Trials: Long Jump - 7.98 m (1st) 1946 AAU Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.32 m (1st) 1947 AAU Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.55 m (1st) 1948 NCAA Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.60 m (1st) 1947 NCAA Outdoors: Long Jump - 8.08 m (1st)