Neil Gardner
Encyclopedia
Neil Anthony Gardner, born December 8, 1974 in Kingston, Jamaica
to parents Lloyd Gardner and Viris Page-Gardner, was a former Jamaican athlete who specialized in the 400 meters hurdles event. As a junior athlete (under 20 years of age) Gardner found much success at the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association National Boys’ Championships where he was awarded the Victor Ludorum (Champion Athlete) three years in a row, 1991–1993. Gardner also excelled in the CARIFTA Games
, winning several medals between 1989 and 1993.
In 1993, Gardner was awarded a track and field scholarship to the University of Michigan
in Ann Arbor, Michigan to compete in the Jumps and Hurdles. While at Michigan, Gardner won three Big Ten titles and was runner-up on six occasions. In his junior year 1996, Gardner won the NCAA Outdoor Championship
track and field 400 m hurdle championship title in a time of 49.27 seconds. In 1997, Gardner went on to become the first person in the history of the NCAA to win the NCAA championship titles in both the 400 m hurdle event (outdoors) as well as the 55 m hurdle event (indoors), which he did in a time of 7.18
seconds.
His personal best time of 48.30 in the 400 m hurdles at the Olympic game in 1996, ranked Gardner among the top 10 performers of all time for the NCAA as well as the Central American and Caribbean region. This time was also a varsity record for the University of Michigan
. Gardner is ranked 6th among Jamaican 400 m hurdlers of all time.
in Atlanta, Georgia where he was a semi-finalist in the 400m hurdle event. Gardner ran 48.59 seconds in the preliminaries and was the 6th fastest qualifier overall for the semifinals. Gardner ran 48.30 seconds in his semifinal heat, placing fifth in a four way photo finish, just missing the fourth place qualifying spot by 0.02 seconds. The second, third and fourth place finishers each was credited with the same time of 48.28 seconds. Gardner's time would have placed him third in the other semi-final and would have guaranteed him a spot in the final. Had Gardner competed in any other Olympic Game, in any other year, his time would have not only qualified him for the finals, but would have won on many occasions.
In 2001, Gardner was a semi-finalist in the 400 meters hurdles at the 8th IAAFWorld Championships in Edmonton, Canada again representing his native, Jamaica.
and the World Federation of Chiropractic, to study chiropractic at Parker College of Chiropractic
. Gardner graduated from Parker College in August 2009 with a 4.0 GPA, Summa Cum Laude as the class valedictorian. He also received two Bachelor of Science degrees in Anatomy and Health & Wellness. Dr. Neil Gardner opened his chiropractic
clinic, Gardner Chiropractic & Wellness Center, in December 2009 in Richardson, Texas. He recently moved back to Jamaica to open his clinic, Gardner Chiropractic & Neurology Ltd. in Kingston, Jamaica.
Dr. Neil Gardner is the 2011 recipient of the Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence.
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
to parents Lloyd Gardner and Viris Page-Gardner, was a former Jamaican athlete who specialized in the 400 meters hurdles event. As a junior athlete (under 20 years of age) Gardner found much success at the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association National Boys’ Championships where he was awarded the Victor Ludorum (Champion Athlete) three years in a row, 1991–1993. Gardner also excelled in the CARIFTA Games
CARIFTA Games
For the CARIFTA swimming meet, please see: CARIFTA Swimming Championships.The CARIFTA Games is an annual athletics competition founded by the Caribbean Free Trade Association . The games was first held in 1972 and consists of track and field events including sprint races, hurdles,...
, winning several medals between 1989 and 1993.
In 1993, Gardner was awarded a track and field scholarship to the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in Ann Arbor, Michigan to compete in the Jumps and Hurdles. While at Michigan, Gardner won three Big Ten titles and was runner-up on six occasions. In his junior year 1996, Gardner won the NCAA Outdoor Championship
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
track and field 400 m hurdle championship title in a time of 49.27 seconds. In 1997, Gardner went on to become the first person in the history of the NCAA to win the NCAA championship titles in both the 400 m hurdle event (outdoors) as well as the 55 m hurdle event (indoors), which he did in a time of 7.18
seconds.
His personal best time of 48.30 in the 400 m hurdles at the Olympic game in 1996, ranked Gardner among the top 10 performers of all time for the NCAA as well as the Central American and Caribbean region. This time was also a varsity record for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. Gardner is ranked 6th among Jamaican 400 m hurdlers of all time.
The Olympic Games and IAAF World Championships
Gardner represented Jamaica in the 1996 Olympic gamesOlympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in Atlanta, Georgia where he was a semi-finalist in the 400m hurdle event. Gardner ran 48.59 seconds in the preliminaries and was the 6th fastest qualifier overall for the semifinals. Gardner ran 48.30 seconds in his semifinal heat, placing fifth in a four way photo finish, just missing the fourth place qualifying spot by 0.02 seconds. The second, third and fourth place finishers each was credited with the same time of 48.28 seconds. Gardner's time would have placed him third in the other semi-final and would have guaranteed him a spot in the final. Had Gardner competed in any other Olympic Game, in any other year, his time would have not only qualified him for the finals, but would have won on many occasions.
In 2001, Gardner was a semi-finalist in the 400 meters hurdles at the 8th IAAFWorld Championships in Edmonton, Canada again representing his native, Jamaica.
Academic Years and Later Career
Gardner received a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Michigan in 1993. Gardner graduated from Michigan with a 3.24 GPA in Biochemistry in December 1997. Gardner then returned to Jamaica in January 1998 where he competed professionally in track and field until 2005. Gardner was the first recipient of a scholarship through the World Olympians AssociationWorld Olympians Association
The World Olympians Association is an association of former olympic athletes from all over the world, to promote the dissemination of Olympic ideals, fair play, advance environmental protection, educate against doping – drug use, supply educational resources, work against violence and intolerance,...
and the World Federation of Chiropractic, to study chiropractic at Parker College of Chiropractic
Parker College of Chiropractic
Parker University is located in Dallas, Texas. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees....
. Gardner graduated from Parker College in August 2009 with a 4.0 GPA, Summa Cum Laude as the class valedictorian. He also received two Bachelor of Science degrees in Anatomy and Health & Wellness. Dr. Neil Gardner opened his chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
clinic, Gardner Chiropractic & Wellness Center, in December 2009 in Richardson, Texas. He recently moved back to Jamaica to open his clinic, Gardner Chiropractic & Neurology Ltd. in Kingston, Jamaica.
Honors and Awards
Gardner was inducted into the University of Michigan Men's Track & Field Hall of Fame in May 2007. In March 2010, Gardner was named High School Athlete of the Decade for the 1990s, by the Inter-Secondary School Sport Association, Kingston, Jamaica.Dr. Neil Gardner is the 2011 recipient of the Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence.
ISSA National Boy’s Championships Results
| Year | Event | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | High Jump | 2nd |
| 1989 | High Jump | 1st |
| 1990 | High Jump | 2nd |
| 1991 | High Jump | 1st(record) |
| 1991 | Long Jump | 1st(record) |
| 1991 | 110m Hurdles | 1st(record) |
| 1991 | 4 x 100m relay | 1st |
| 1992 | High Jump | 2nd |
| 1992 | 110m Hurdles | 1st |
| 1992 | Heptathlon | 1st |
| 1993 | High Jump | 2nd |
| 1993 | Long Jump | 2nd |
| 1993 | 110m Hurdles | 2nd |
| 1993 | Triple Jump | 1st |
| 1993 | 4 x 100m relay | 2nd |
CARIFTA Games Results
| Year | Venue | Event | Results | Time/Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Barbados | High Jump | 3rd | |
| 1990 | Jamaica | High Jump | 3rd | |
| 1991 | Trinidad | Triple Jump | 3rd | 14.97 |
| 1991 | Trinidad | 110m hurdles | 3rd | 14.73 |
| 1992 | Bahamas | High Jump | 3rd | 2.05 |
| 1992 | Bahamas | 110m hurdles | 2nd | 15.04 |
| 1993 | Martinique | High Jump | 2nd | 2.05 |
| 1993 | Martinique | Triple Jump | 2nd | 15.62 |
| 1993 | Martinique | 110m hurdles | 1st | 15.04 |
Pan American Junior Championships Results
| Year | Venue | Event | Result | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Winnipeg, Canada | 110m hurdles | 3rd | 14.30 |
NCAA Championships
| Year | Venue | Event | Result | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Eugene, Oregon | 400m hurdles | 1st | 49.27 |
| 1997 | Indianapolis, Indiana | 55m hurdles | 1st | 7.18 |
26th Olympic Games
| Year | City | Event | Phase | Unit | Rank | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Atlanta | 400m hurdles | Semi-finals | Heat 2 | 5th | 48.30 |
| 1996 | Atlanta | 400m hurdles | Round One | Heat 7 | 4th | 48.59 |
8th IAAF World Championships
| Year | City | Event | Phase | Unit | Rank | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Edmonton | 400m hurdles | Semi-finals | Heat 2 | 6th | 49.57 |
| 2001 | Edmonton | 400m hurdles | Round One | Heat 4 | 1st | 49.29 |
Other Major Competitions
| Year | Venue | Event | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Stockholm | 400m hurdles | 49.74 |
| 1998 | Thessaloniki | 400m hurdles | 48.92 |
| 1999 | Nassau | 400m hurdles | 50.68 |
| 2000 | Nassau | 400m hurdles | 49.50 |
| 2001 | Kingston | 400m hurdles | 48.71 |
| 2001 | Monaco - Herculis | 400m hurdles | 3rd |
| 2003 | Luzern | 400m hurdles | 49.07 |
| 2003 | Golden Spike | 400m hurdles | 5th |
| 2003 | Meeting de Madrid | 400m hurdles | 5th |
| 2003 | Portugal | 400m hurdles | 1st |
| 2004 | Oregon | 400m hurdles | 49.80 |