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5/2/2006 by Bill Traughber The history of Vanderbilt track can be traced to May 7, 1886 when “Field Day” was established. According to surviving archives, that was the first officially organized sporting event in the brief history of the University. Held at Sulphur Springs Park (later Sulphur Dell), it was also the first college track meet to be held in the South. The event was held annually and attracted athletes from across the South. One of these Field Days was held on May 15, 1897 as The Nashville American reported: Five hundred spectators witnessed the intercollegiate Field Day meet on the Vanderbilt athletic field yesterday afternoon. The brawn and muscle of the different colleges pitted in the lists against one another, were cheered to victory by a goodly sprinkling of fair sponsors, and the flying streamers and pretty costumes intermingled on the campus terrace completed a picturesque scene. The various adherence of each college, grouped on different parts of the field, made the air rebound with lusty cheers, and before the first pistol shot announced that the sports were on the excitement of the expectants ran high. The races were all hotly contested, and it was no man’s laurels till the ropes had been crossed. The weather was somewhat airy and the athletes from abroad found it somewhat difficult to adapt themselves to the mountainous chills. Notwithstanding these adverse conditions, however, the compensation of a fast track and sharp competition alleviated the minor imperfections and the day was a complete success in every detail. The eight schools involved in the competition were Vanderbilt, Sewanee, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky State, University of Nashville (Peabody), Central and Southwestern Presbyterian. In the running races it was reported that three watches are held during an event. The rules provided that the mean of the times should be official. As an example, Jack Selden of Sewanee, won the first event in the 100-yard dash. He was recorded in three different times–10 seconds, 10 1-5, and 10 2-5. Seldon was given the official time of 10 1-5 seconds. The American continued: The young giant of Vanderbilt, Cruthfield, put the sixteen-pound shot a distance of 37 feet, 1 inch. Walker, of the Nashville University, followed him, with a put of 34 feet 10 3/4 inches: Colmore, of Sewanee, third. F. Buchanan, of Sewanee, cleared the pole at a height of 5 feet 7 ¾ inches, passing all former Vanderbilt records. W. N. Davis, second, with a jump of 5 feet 6 ¾ inches. One of the prettiest events of the day was the one mile run. At the start of the course Neilson, of Vanderbilt, was badly spiked, but pluckily kept on and finished an easy second. Harvey, of Auburn, won hands down, but at the conclusion of the race, claimed a foul against Neilson, for crossing the track in front of him. The claim was not allowed and Vanderbilt added three points to the rapidly increasing pile. H. E. Harvey of Auburn did win the race in a time of 4 minutes and 50 seconds. The judges did meet to discuss the foul against the Vanderbilt runner, but no penalty ensued. It was decided Neilson did commit a foul, but due to the to narrowness of the track and the number of runners it was overlooked. The American reported on the effort of Vanderbilt’s E. M. Underwood in the 440 run and W. M. Crutchfield in the hammer throw: Decidedly the prettiest run of the day was made by Underwood in the 440 yard run. Underwood has proven himself a great courser, and evinced his talent to perfection yesterday. He finished in 53 3-5, breaking all former records. Seldon, of Sewanee, finished in a heavy spurt in 54 seconds, and was followed closely by Walker, of Nashville. Crutchfield’s lower anatomy was of too great a magnitude to be confined within the seven-foot hammer ring with any degree of bodily comfort, but when he finally gained control of his limbs and feet, the hammer rose with cannon ball rapidity into the air and came down at a distance of 97 feet 2 ½ inches from the ring. Vanderbilt won the day with 46 total points followed by Sewanee (22), Auburn (14) and Georgia (13). Other event winners were T. Buchanan of Sewanee in the 120-yard hurdles (16 4-5 seconds), W. Polk of Vanderbilt in the 220 yard hurdles (28 4-5 seconds), W. S. Cothran of Georgia in the 220-yard run (24 1-5 seconds), F. W. Van Ness of Auburn in the half-mile run (2 minutes 6 ¾ seconds), S. E. Smith of Kentucky State in the pole vault (10 feet ½ inch) and C. Weaver of Georgia in the running broad jump (20 feet 9 ¼ inches. The American also commented on the organization of the day’s program. There was not a hitch in the smooth working of the athletic machinery during the entire afternoon. The management is to be congratulated on the order and disciplined observed each race followed the other in quick succession and at no time was there the slightest confusion on the field. The Vanderbilt men’s track program evolved and continued for several decades. Due to the high costs of maintaining a Division I track team and limited success in competition, the men’s program was disbanded in 1973. Today the men do have a club track team. The ladies of Vanderbilt have been running track and field events in addition to cross-country since 1976. From 1992 until 2000, the program has produced seven All-Americans including Ryan Tolbert (400 meters hurdles) who became Vanderbilt’s first and only NCAA National Champion in any sport. If you have any comments or suggestions you can contact Bill Traughber via e-mail WLTraughber@aol.com. |
