Two news stories have come in recently, and I've been able to pull it together once again to get them out to all of you. The first story comes from Gary Corbitt reminding us of Oscar Moore and his wonderful career. The second story details the passing of Johnny "Lam" Jones, one of the great line of Texas sprinters.
Oscar W. Moore Jr.
Happy 81st Birthday (March 31) & Congratulations!
2019 National Black Distance Runner Hall of Fame Inductee – March 2, 2019
2019 Road Runners Club of American (RRCA) Hall of Fame Inductee – March 30, 2019
What an honor and privilege it was for me to introduce Oscar Moore in Little Rock for his induction
into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame. Attached I’m pictured with Oscar as he gives his acceptance speech.
I was 10 years old in 1961 when I first started watching Oscar Moore, Pete McArdle, and Gordon
McKenzie dominate the New York running scene. Seeing Oscar’s running form was akin to watching a dancer gliding majestically across a stage – Speed & Grace.
The Oscar Moore Record:
September 15, 1963 – Oscar Moore defeated Pete McArdle in the NY Metropolitan AAU 20K Championship. This was perhaps the greatest road race in New York City history. Oscar led the entire way in a neck and neck battle. He pulled away in the last lap to win by a mere 11 seconds. It was McArdle’s first defeat in the New York area in 4 years. Oscar set 4 course records during this race on the Macombs Dam Course in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.
October 16, 1964 – Oscar Moore becomes the first African American to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games for the 5,000 meters.
November 1, 1964 – Oscar Moore sets the 5 mile cross-country record of 24:41 at Van Cortlandt Park.
November 15, 1964 – Oscar Moore set the 6 mile cross-country record of 30:09.9 at Van Cortlandt Park. The previous mark of 30:34.6 was set by Pete McArdle in 1963. This was a 6 mile handicap race put on the Road Runners Club: New York Association.
November 30, 1964 – Oscar Moore won the 7th Annual RRC: NY Association 9 Mile cross-country race. He lowered his Van Cortlandt Park course recorded to 46:19.6. His 3 mile and 6 mile spits were 15:07 and 30:45.
March 4, 1967 – Tracy Smith sets a world indoor record for 3 miles of 13:16.2 winning over Oscar Moore. Oscar set the pace for most of the race and recorded a collegiate record of 13:22.2. The race was the AAU National Championship in Oakland, CA.
Oscar Moore recorded victories over these great runners: Jim Ryun, Jim Beatty, Billy Mills, John Lawson, Conrad Nightingale, and Ron Larrieu. He also had some close races with Gerry Lindgren.
Oscar holds the Southern Illinois University 5,000 meter record both indoors and out. That’s 50 years holding these school records.
Oscar Moore was track & field and cross-country coach at Glassboro/Rowan University for 22 years 1971 to 1993. His successes as coach were rewarded with his 2009 induction into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame.
Oscar’s greatest gift is the impact he’s had on people through his years as a coach and his ministry that continues today as an ordained minister in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Gary Corbitt
Curator: Ted Corbitt Archives
Historian: National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA)
Johnny "Lam" Jones, a two sport All-American at the U. of Texas, passed away March 15, 2019, and left a legacy of promise, greatness, and disappointment. From Lampasas, Texas, he received the nickname "Lam" from U. of Texas football coach Darrell Royal who had two John Jones on his team. The other Jones from Hamlin, Texas got the nickname "Ham". Johnny "Lam" Jones was an outstanding high school sprinter in 1976 making the US Olympic team with times of 9.21 for 100 yards and 10.14 in the metric distance. He finished sixth in the 100 meters at Montreal and ran the second leg of the gold medal 4x100 team. He would later donate his gold medal to Special Olympics, an organization he supported. He died at the age of 60 with bone marrow cancer. He was was also the MVP of the U. of Texas football team and an All-American in that sport.
Montreal 1976 4x100 Harvey Glance, Johnny Jones, Millard Hampton, and Steve Riddick
103 yard kick off runback against SMU in 1978
Drafted after his senior year by the New York Jets, he was the first million dollar NFL draftee. But his career was injury filled and he was out of the game in five years. He had several legal issues after his NFL days but managed to turn his life around. For a detailed review of his life and his career, you can read the New York Times obituary by Frank Litsky and William McDonald.
Here is the link to the New York Times obituary on Johnny 'Lam' Jones.
Johnny "Lam" Jones
Johnny "Lam" Jones
George:
I well remember Oscar Moore while he wasat S. Illinois.
However, I had completely forgotten how he dominated the Cross Country Scene at Van Cortland Park!
What an outstanding runner and gentleman!
John Bork
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