Dave Albritton

David Donald Albritton (April 13, 1913 – May 14, 1994) was an American athlete, teacher, coach, and state legislator. He had a long athletic career that spanned three decades and numerous titles and was one of the first high jumpers to use the straddle technique. He was born in Danville, Alabama.[2]

David Albritton
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 34th district
In office
January 3, 1961 – December 31, 1972
Preceded byFrederick Bowers
Succeeded byEd Orlett
Personal details
BornApril 13, 1913[1]
Danville, Alabama, U.S.
DiedMay 14, 1994(1994-05-14) (aged 81)
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1936 Berlin High jump

Athletic career

As a sophomore at Ohio State University, Albritton won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1936.[3]

In 1936, Albritton and Cornelius Johnson both cleared 6 ft 93⁄4 in (2.07 m) to set a world record at the Olympic Trials, becoming the first people of African descent to hold the world record in the event. Albritton was second to Johnson at the 1936 Summer Olympics, with a height of 6 ft 63⁄4 in (2.00 m). He claimed the silver medal in a jump-off after he and two other jumpers cleared the same height.

Albritton and Johnson were snubbed by Hitler when they went to collect their medals.[4] In 2016, the 1936 Olympic journey of the eighteen Black American athletes, including Albritton and Jesse Owens was documented in the film Olympic Pride, American Prejudice.[5]

Albritton won or tied for seven National Amateur Athletic Union outdoor titles from 1936 to 1950. He was AAU outdoor champion in 1937, 1946, and 1947 and tied for three national collegiate titles, in 1938, 1945, and 1950.

Coaching and political career

Albritton later became a high school teacher and coach. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives for six terms. In 1980, he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Death and legacy

David D. Albritton is buried at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio. He is located in Section 300 Lot 86.[6]

A historic marker honoring Albritton was unveiled on July 12, 2013 Danville, Alabama.[7]

Albritton and Jesse Owens were born in Alabama, Albritton in Danville and Owens in nearby Oakville; both attended East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio; both attended the Ohio State University and were coached by Larry Snyder; both were members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; both competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

References
  1. "USATF – Hall of Fame". USA Track & Field. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  2. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Dave Albritton". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  3. "The other Jesse Owens: The forgotten 1936 Berlin Olympic story of Alabama's David Albritton". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  4. "Johnson, Albritton, and Thurber's Patriotic and Defiant Bellamy Salute in Response to Hitler's Snub at Berlin in 1936". The Sport Journal. September 22, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  5. Henderson, Odie (August 5, 2016). "Olympic Pride, American Prejudice movie review (2016)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  6. "David Donald Albritton (1913-1994) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  7. "David Donald Albritton". Decatur Parks & Recreation. Retrieved August 7, 2013.


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