In 1972, the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries were behind "the iron curtain". My dad, a salesman for a dress manufacturer was friends with 1948 Olympic Gold Medalist and former NY Knick Ray Lump. Ray was Director of Meets for the New York Athletic Club (NYAC). The NYAC sponsored major track & field meets.
Ray would bring Soviet, Polish, East German and other Eastern European athletes to buy dresses for their wives or girlfriends from my father. Ray invited my dad to the 1972 US Olympic Invitational Meet at The Garden..
We went to "Will Call," no tickets were there. My father asked someone to call Ray. He came down to apologize and escorted us to a VIP box on the garden's floor and put an "Official" pass on me.
Early in the meet, my father pointed to a man standing in front of the box, "There's Jesse Owens...go meet him." I went up to him and said "Hi."
Jesse Owens immediately offered his hand and I shook it. He asked my name and where I went to school. I asked for his autograph, which he was glad to give. I talked about my desire to attend Maryland. Dr. Delano Meriwether, Herb Washington and Bob Beamon came over and Mr. Owens introduced me as his friend. He asked them to autograph my program and they did.
Then Mr. Owens had to go, shook my hand again and wished me luck at Maryland.
Dr. Meriwether and Herb Washington finished in a "dead heat" for First Place in the 50-Meter Dash, "The Jesse Owens Sprint." It was a Great Night.
No comments:
Post a Comment