BEREA, Ohio — In the 1940s, he was called the world’s greatest hurdler.
- Dillard is the only man in the history of the Olympic games to take home the gold in both hurdles and sprint events
- In 2016, Baldwin-Wallace University dedicated a statue to honor the Olympian and inspire others
- The school’s indoor track is named after him and he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame
But before he won four Olympic gold medals, Harrison Dillard won four national collegiate titles in the high and low hurdles at Baldwin- Wallace University, in Berea, Ohio.
“One of my favorite quotes is Isaac Newton… I can see farther than others, it's because I stood on the shoulders of giants… and I think for the BW community, Harrison was one of those giants, a hero to us, accomplished incredible things, used his talents and, but it was through hard work,” said Bob Helmer, president, Baldwin-Wallace University.
Dillard is the only man in history of the Olympic games to take home the gold in both the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles.
Current faculty members and former track athletes at BW—Greg Flanik and Chris Flenoury — say Dillard’s legacy was a huge draw to the school.
“I think when you're a recruit and you come to a school’s program, as I did BW, you look at the artifacts that were left behind. What are the, what's the history here, and that usually forms the benchmark of what type of program they have, and had in the past,” said Flanik, track & field alumni ’93-’97.
They say Dillard became their inspiration when competing against top athletes from other schools.
“Harrison Dillard. That's the legacy that we're entrusted with when we compete against folks at this level,” said Flanik.
In 2016, the university dedicated a statue of Dillard on campus, not only to honor the Olympic champion, but to inspire the students, and everyone who passes by.
“We don't we don't really have statues on our campus so this this was a new thing for us but Harrison was certainly someone deserving of a statue,” said Helmer.
The school’s indoor track is named after him— and he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
“When you start reading and start reading and hearing the stories... it’s like wow, you know? You can be from anywhere, you can do anything. If you have the drive and motivation, you can be successful. He was just a legend icon, on and off the track,” said Flenoury.
Harrison Dillard called Cleveland home until he died at the age of 96.
He’s survived by his daughter and three grandchildren.
“Harrison was an inspiration. And he will continue to be an inspiration, even as he’s gone,” said Helmer.
Dillard was also an army veteran, having served in World War II.
His funeral will take place Saturday at St. Paul AME Zion church in Cleveland at 9:30 a.m.