Bill Collins (athlete)
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Collins was an above average sprinter, originally running for Mount Vernon High School
in Westchester County, New York
, where he won four state titles and later at Texas Christian University
where he achieved "All-American" status. In 1976 he managed to make the finals in the 100 metres
at the United States Olympic Trials
, finishing last which qualified him for the relay pool, though he never ran in the Olympics. He did make the USA 4x100 relay team that won the gold medal at the first ever 1977 IAAF World Cup
. He was ranked #7 in the US top ten at 200 metres in 1977 and 1975 At 100 metres he was near the bottom of the top ten 1974-1976
What makes Collins remarkable is how little he has lost to age. He holds five current Masters World Records
, including three age groups of the 100 metres. Younger athletes who train with him and his Houston Elite Track Club at Rice University
refer to him as "Superman
." Indoors and outdoors, he has won numerous World and National Championships. In a class by himself he is rarely beaten, except when injured.
In 2003 he was voted into the Masters Division of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame
. Geezerjock Magazine name him their inaugural "Geezerjock of the Year" in 2005. In 2007 he was named "World Masters Athletics
Masters Athlete of the Year" which was presented at the IAAF gala in Monaco
.
At his first major meet after turning 60, Collins set the world indoor record in the M60 200 metres and 400 metres. He was named USATF "Athlete of the Week" amongst all age divisions. He had received the same citation almost exactly five years earlier after his first major competition after entering the previous age division and setting world records.
He co-authored, with Rick Riddle a book on Masters sprinting, "The Ageless Athletic Spirit: Training with a World Champion"
Mount Vernon High School (New York)
Mount Vernon High School is a high school in the City of Mount Vernon in Westchester County, New York, and is part of the Mount Vernon City School District.-Basketball:Mount Vernon is a perennial powerhouse in the State of New York as well as the nation....
in Westchester County, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he won four state titles and later at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
where he achieved "All-American" status. In 1976 he managed to make the finals in the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
at the United States Olympic Trials
United States Olympic Trials (track and field)
The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
, finishing last which qualified him for the relay pool, though he never ran in the Olympics. He did make the USA 4x100 relay team that won the gold medal at the first ever 1977 IAAF World Cup
1977 IAAF World Cup
The 1st IAAF World Cup in Athletics was an international track and field sporting event sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations, held on September 2–4, 1977, at the Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf, West Germany.-Men:|width="50"| ...
. He was ranked #7 in the US top ten at 200 metres in 1977 and 1975 At 100 metres he was near the bottom of the top ten 1974-1976
What makes Collins remarkable is how little he has lost to age. He holds five current Masters World Records
Masters Athletics World Records
These are the current world records in the various age groups of Masters athletics. Starting at age 35, each age group starts on the athlete's birthday in years that are evenly divisible by 5 and extends until the next such occurrence. For record purposes, older athletes are not included in...
, including three age groups of the 100 metres. Younger athletes who train with him and his Houston Elite Track Club at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
refer to him as "Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
." Indoors and outdoors, he has won numerous World and National Championships. In a class by himself he is rarely beaten, except when injured.
In 2003 he was voted into the Masters Division of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame
National Track and Field Hall of Fame
The National Track and Field Hall of Fame located within the Armory Foundation at 216 Fort Washington Avenue, between 168th and 169th Streets, in Washington Heights, in the New York City borough of Manhattan, is a museum operated by The Armory Foundation in conjunction with USA Track & Field...
. Geezerjock Magazine name him their inaugural "Geezerjock of the Year" in 2005. In 2007 he was named "World Masters Athletics
World Masters Athletics
World Masters Athletics is the worldwide governing body for the sport of masters athletics – which includes track and field, cross country, and road running events – as participated by people over 35 years of age....
Masters Athlete of the Year" which was presented at the IAAF gala in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
.
At his first major meet after turning 60, Collins set the world indoor record in the M60 200 metres and 400 metres. He was named USATF "Athlete of the Week" amongst all age divisions. He had received the same citation almost exactly five years earlier after his first major competition after entering the previous age division and setting world records.
He co-authored, with Rick Riddle a book on Masters sprinting, "The Ageless Athletic Spirit: Training with a World Champion"