Sports History
Starts And Stops
By Anne Madarasz

Sometimes when studying the career of an exceptional athlete, their success seems inevitableÑthe story one of victory at the local, then the regional, and finally the national or international level. But for many, the progression is not really so neat and tidy, the path is often more of choices made or unexpected chances. And for Olympian John Woodruff, it was the stop he made along the way that made all the difference.

Born in Connellsville in 1915, Woodruff is one of 12 children in his family, the son of hardworking folk, the grandson of Virginia slaves. Banned from the football field of Connellsville High by a mother who needed his help at home, he turned to track. Under the tutelage of coach "Pop" Larew, Woodruff found success. In his first scholastic competition, he won both the 880-yard and mile competitions, by graduation he held both state records and the national school mile record with a time of 4:23.4.

The first in his family to go to college, Woodruff headed for Pitt in the fall of 1935 with little in his pocket but 25 cents. He found a room at the YMCA in the Hill District and got a job working the Pitt grounds to supplement his scholarship. After a successful freshman year, his coach encouraged him to try out for the Olympics. Woodruff competed successfully in the semifinals held at Harvard and the finals at Randall's Island in New York and found himself on the S.S. Manhattan bound for Germany.

Two men have come to define the 1936 Berlin OlympicsÑAdolf Hitler and Jesse Owens.

Hitler, who firmly believed in the supremacy of the Aryan race, predicted many victories for his German athletes. Jesse Owens proved his theories wrong on a world stage. Owens, the Ohio State runner who garnered four gold medals in track and field, became the big story of the games, but other athletes also made stunning contributions. Woodruff, whose nine-foot stride had earned him the nickname "Long John," ran away from his competitors in the semifinals of the 800 meters, winning by over 20 yards. Still a novice runner in this international field, Woodruff decided to run in second position in the finals, saving his kick for the end of the race. But his strategy backfired and he found himself boxed in, unable to break from the pack without fouling another runner. He decided to stop, completely, and let all the other runners pass him. Woodruff then moved to the third lane and began his charge for home. With a last burst of speed, he passed the field, took the lead and held it to the end, finishing with a time of 1:52.9 and the gold medal.

Woodruff and some of his teammates then toured Europe, competing in local meets and set a world record in the two-mile relay. He returned home to a hero's welcome in Connellsville and a place of honor on the Pitt track team. Woodruff continued to compete in college, winning three straight national collegiate titles and the National AAU 880 in 1937. World War II shortened his track career, but led him to a new life in the army, as a career officer. Even now, almost 70 years later, he sometimes muses on that August day in 1936, wondering, "just how far I really ran that day to win an 800 meter race."

John Woodruff, whose story is featured in the Sports Museum, has recently donated a recast of his 1936 Olympic gold medal to the Museum.