Milt Campbell
Encyclopedia
Milton Gray Campbell (born December 9, 1933 at Plainfield, New Jersey
) is an American decathlete of the 1950s. In 1956, he became the first African American
to win the gold medal in the decathlon
of the Summer Olympic Games
.
At Plainfield High School
he competed in track and swimming. He then enrolled at the Indiana University (Bloomington). While a student at Plainfield High School, Campbell won a place on the 1952 Olympic team in the decathlon
. Although just 18 years old, Campbell finished second to Bob Mathias
in the decathlon.
Campbell set New Jersey state records in the high and low hurdles and in the high jump, and scored 140 points as fullback in football. He was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 1956 at Melbourne
, Campbell won the gold medal. He narrowly missed a world record. Many observers believe he would have set the record if not for a subpar performance in the pole vault.
Campbell was also an excellent swimmer as a youth. An all around athlete, Campbell briefly played in the National Football League
for the Cleveland Browns
and in 1959 for the Montreal Alouettes
in the Canadian Football League. Among Campbell's 3 children, his son Grant is a winner of the World Karate Championships.
In 2008, a degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, was conferred upon him by Monmouth University
in West Long Branch, New Jersey.
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
) is an American decathlete of the 1950s. In 1956, he became the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to win the gold medal in the decathlon
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
of the Summer Olympic Games
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
.
At Plainfield High School
Plainfield High School (New Jersey)
Plainfield High School is a comprehensive community four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Plainfield, in Union County, New Jersey, United States. The school is part of the Plainfield Public School District, one of New Jersey's 31 Abbott Districts...
he competed in track and swimming. He then enrolled at the Indiana University (Bloomington). While a student at Plainfield High School, Campbell won a place on the 1952 Olympic team in the decathlon
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
. Although just 18 years old, Campbell finished second to Bob Mathias
Bob Mathias
Robert Bruce "Bob" Mathias was an American decathlete, two-time Olympic gold medalist, actor and United States Congressman representing the state of California.-Early life and athletic career:...
in the decathlon.
Campbell set New Jersey state records in the high and low hurdles and in the high jump, and scored 140 points as fullback in football. He was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 1956 at Melbourne
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
, Campbell won the gold medal. He narrowly missed a world record. Many observers believe he would have set the record if not for a subpar performance in the pole vault.
Campbell was also an excellent swimmer as a youth. An all around athlete, Campbell briefly played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and in 1959 for the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
in the Canadian Football League. Among Campbell's 3 children, his son Grant is a winner of the World Karate Championships.
In 2008, a degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, was conferred upon him by Monmouth University
Monmouth University
Monmouth University is a private university located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, United States.Founded in 1933 as Monmouth Junior College, it became Monmouth College in 1956, and later Monmouth University in 1995 after receiving its charter....
in West Long Branch, New Jersey.