Michigan Plaque for Jesse Owens

I hope you had a chance to check out this SI.com piece on Jesse Owens and his exploits at the 1935 Big Ten track and field championship held at U-M’s Ferry Field.  The piece chronicles the 45-minute span in which Owens broke four world records.

Anyway, Richard Rothschild’s piece ends with this note:

Ferry Field still stands. Outside the track a plaque commemorates Owens’ record-shattering day. It is, perhaps, the ultimate compliment in college sports that a University of Michigan athletic facility continues to honor the achievements of an Ohio State Buckeye.

Indeed.  For curious minds, above of course is a good look at the plaque.  For context, it sits here outside the track:

ferry_field_plaques

For more on Owens, check out this post ‘eBay Watch: Jesse Owens, Gerald Ford and 1934

One Comment

  • spb

    not commemorating such a stupendous feat based on spite or resentment would look ridiculous. that day's performance (actually recorded in 45 minutes time) is perhaps the greatest athletic achievement in history.