Charlie Greene

Hampered by a muscle injury, Charlie Greene, a freshman at the University of Nebraska, finished sixth in the 100 metres at the 1964 Final Trials after he had seemed a virtual certainty to make the team. Four years later he placed second in the trials and in Mexico City he won a gold medal in the relay and a bronze in the 100. Greene won the NCAA 100 three times and the AAU twice; he also claimed three NCAA indoor titles over 60 yards (1965-67) and two at the AAU indoors. In 1968 he had some memorable battles with Jim Hines, winning three of their six meetings, but losing the biggest one of all at the Olympics.

After retiring as a sprinter, Greene had a career in the US Army, serving for over 20 years and retiring as a major. He worked at the US Military Academy coaching Army sprinters and after his military retirement he worked with Special Olympics International. He eventually returned to coach at Northeast High in Lincoln, Nebraska and worked for the University of Nebraska in the UNL Life Skills program, as well as teaching a course on the History and Impact of the Olympic Games for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Charlie Greene was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1992 as well as the US Olympic Hall of Fame. In 2015 he was inducted into the University of Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.1 (1967); 100 – 10.02 (1968); 220y – 20.7 (1967); 400 – 46.7 (1966).