Ted Wheeler        

Ted Wheeler attended Township High School and lived in Evanston, Illinois.

COLLEGE: In his first season at Iowa in 1951-52, he achieved all-American status in cross-country. Later, during the track season, he added all-American honors in the 800 and 1,500 meters and also ran on lowa’s record-breaking 1,600-meter relay team.

As a sophomore in 1952-53, he qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials in both the 800 and 1,500 meters. His Iowa track career was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, but he continued to compete. He took individual honors in the half-mile, mile and three-mile and was the all-service champion in the 880-yard run.

After completing his service, he returned to Iowa to continue his track career and education. In 1956, he was Big Ten Champion in the 800 meters both indoors and outdoors and in the mile. He was a two-time champion in the mile at the Drake relays and anchored three championships relay teams.

PROFESSIONAL: He competed in the 1952 U.S. Olympic team trials, and qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the 1,500-meter run in 1956. While he served in the U.S. Army, he became the Army head track coach at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and coached his team to the Fifth Army team championship.

OTHER:

In 1961, he was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame. In 1967, a track scholarship was established in his name at Iowa.

He joined the Iowa staff as assistant to Coach Francis X. Cretzmeyer in 1972. In 1973, he was appointed head coach of the cross country team, and was named head coach of the track team in 1978 and held the position until he resigned in July 1996.

He was also inducted into the Black American Hall of Fame and The University of Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame.

Born 1/30/1931 and died on 11/17/2022 at the age of 91.