PITTSBURGH (AP) — Herb Douglas, who turned an opportunity encounter with Jesse Owens as a youngster into gasoline to win a bronze medal within the lengthy leap on the 1948 Olympics, has died. He was 101.
The College of Pittsburgh, the place Douglas starred on the soccer and observe groups earlier than later serving in varied roles for his alma mater, mentioned Douglas died Saturday.
“In each position that he stuffed, as an aspiring athlete from Hazelwood, as a student-athlete and College trustee and as an esteemed businessman, Olympian and group chief, Herb Douglas excelled,” Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher mentioned. “He was each a champion himself and a champion of others, by no means hesitating to open doorways of alternative and assist individuals pursue their very own success.”
Douglas, a Pittsburgh native, was 14 when he met Owens, the American observe and subject star who gained 4 gold medals in sprints and the lengthy leap on the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Owens spoke at an elementary college close to the Hazelwood neighborhood the place Douglas grew up.
“I prayed each day to face on the rostrum and make the Olympic workforce,” Douglas mentioned. “When he left, Jesse put his arms round me and instructed me to get an schooling.”
He instructed Douglas: “That’s greater than what I did at your age” and inspired Douglas to go to varsity. Douglas ultimately checked each gadgets — the Olympics and a university schooling.
Douglas hoped to compete on the 1944 Olympics, which had been canceled attributable to World Warfare II. After beginning his faculty profession at Xavier College in New Orleans, a Traditionally Black Faculty and College, he returned residence to Pittsburgh to work at his father’s parking storage.
Douglas ultimately enrolled at Pitt in 1945, turning into one of many first African Individuals to play soccer for the Panthers whereas additionally starring on the observe workforce. He gained 4 intercollegiate championships within the lengthy leap and one other within the 100-yard sprint at Pitt and three AAU titles within the lengthy leap. He earned a spot on the 1948 U.S. Olympic workforce after ending runner-up to Willie Steele on the Olympic trials.
Douglas’ leap of 24-feet-9 inches (7.545 meters) on the 1948 Olympics in London carried him to bronze behind gold-medalist Steele and silver-medalist Thomas Bruce of Australia.
“Because the years went on, I accepted that third place prefer it was first place,” Douglas instructed the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette in 2021.
Douglas hoped to enter teaching after incomes his grasp’s diploma in schooling from Pitt in 1950 however discovered few teaching alternatives in his hometown earlier than going into the company world.
He labored in gross sales and advertising and marketing, beginning at Pabst Brewing Co. He moved to Philadelphia when he joined Schieffelin and Co., which was later acquired by Moet Hennessy. He turned a vp, among the many first African Individuals at that degree, and labored there 30 years.
Douglas maintained shut ties together with his alma mater all through his life, establishing the Herb P. Douglas scholarship and serving as a mentor to trace star Roger Kingdom, who went on to win gold within the 110-meter hurdles on the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
“We developed such a bond that I began to name him ‘Daddy Herb,’ ” Kingdom mentioned. “He impressed me in so some ways however gave me two essential directives. First, end my diploma as I promised my mom. Second, he shared his secret for fulfillment: ‘All the time analyze, arrange, provoke and comply with by way of.’”
Douglas was inducted into the inaugural Pitt athletics Corridor of Fame class in 2018. The college is also naming the 300-meter indoor observe at its deliberate Victory Heights facility after Douglas.
“His unbelievable mind and dedication had been solely surpassed by his private kindness,” Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke mentioned. “Pitt Athletics is perpetually indebted to his ardour and help.”
Douglas, who remained pleasant with Owens, co-founded the non-profit Worldwide Athletic Affiliation and created the Jesse Owens International Award for Peace.
Born March 9, 1922, Douglas’ survivors embody his spouse Minerva Douglas, daughter Barbara Pleasure Ralston, daughter-in-law Susan Douglas and 4 grandchildren.
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