Herb Douglas, who received bronze in 1948 Olympic Games, lifeless at 101

Herb Douglas, the oldest residing U.S. Olympic medalist who captured the bronze medal within the lengthy bounce on the 1948 summer season video games in London, died on Saturday, the University of Pittsburgh introduced. He was 101

Univeristy chancellor Patrick Gallagher introduced Douglas’ passing in an announcement on Monday. 

Herb Douglas, left, and Louis Stokes attends the Hennessy V.S and Cleveland Cavaliers occasion honoring Olympian Medalist Herb Douglas for Black History Month on Feb. 2, 2015 in Cleveland. (Duane Prokop/Getty Images for Moet Hennessy)

“In each position that he crammed, as an aspiring athlete from Hazelwood, as a student-athlete and University trustee and as an esteemed businessman, Olympian and neighborhood chief, Herb Douglas excelled,” Gallagher stated. 

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“He was each a champion himself and a champion of others, by no means hesitating to open doorways of alternative and assist individuals pursue their very own success. Unsurprisingly, Herb left an indelible mark on this world, whereas leaving an incomprehensible gap within the hearts of so many. I’m proud to have known as him my buddy, and Karen and I will probably be protecting his household and circle of family members shut in thought as we start to honor his exceptional life and legacy.”

Born within the Pittsburgh space on March 9, 1922, Douglas first attended Xavier University in New Orleans earlier than returning house the place he ultimately enrolled on the University of Pittsburgh in 1945. 

Olympic-medalist and former Moët Hennessy govt Herb Douglas attends the disclosing of artist Kadir Nelson’s impressed artwork sculpture titled, “The Major,” on the World Trade Center, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in New York. (Andrew Kelly/AP Images for Hennessy, File)

He grew to become the primary African American to play soccer for the Panthers, however was extra broadly referred to as a star athlete on the monitor staff. 

Douglas received 4 intercollegiate championships within the lengthy bounce and one other within the 100-yard sprint at Pitt and three AAU titles within the lengthy bounce. He earned a spot on the 1948 U.S. Olympic staff after ending runner-up to Willie Steele on the Olympic trials.

In London, he would go on to win bronze within the lengthy bounce with a leap of 24-feet-9 inches. 

He was ultimately inducted into the inaugural Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2018.

“Herb Douglas led a exceptional life that impressed individuals the world over. Whether it was as an Olympic medalist, completed enterprise govt or private mentor, Herb impacted and was cherished by so many. That is actually the case on the University of Pittsburgh, the place his life and legacy are really enduring,” Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke stated in an announcement. 

Louis Stokes, left, and Herb Douglas attends the Hennessy V.S and Cleveland Cavaliers occasion honoring Olympian Medalist Herb Douglas for Black History Month on February 2, 2015 in Cleveland (Duane Prokop/Getty Images for Moet Hennessy)

“His unimaginable mind and dedication had been solely surpassed by his private kindness. Pitt Athletics is ceaselessly indebted to his ardour and assist. It is so becoming that our future indoor monitor will probably be named in Herb’s honor, guaranteeing his identify and legacy dwell on to encourage future Pitt student-athletes.”

Douglas is survived by his spouse, Minerva Douglas, daughter, and 4 grandchildren.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.