Glenn Cunningham

Barber County Index Oct 27, 1938

Glenn Cunningham gives a demonstration today

Today, Thursday, October 27, is "Glenn Cunningham Day" in Medicine Lodge. Local merchants are supporting the event by offering special bargains on this day, as will be observed by referring to a special advertising page elsewhere in this issue of your Index. Come to Medicine Lodge today and see Glenn Cunningham, the most famous athlete Kansas has ever produced, and take advantage of the special offerings made by the local merchants. The trophies which Cunningham has won will be on display during the day. At one o'clock he will appear at the chapel exercises in the high school auditorium. The general public will have an opportunity to see and hear this world famous athlete at that time. An admission charge to the afternoon exercises will be made.
After the chapel appearance Cunningham will make a mile demonstration run against four high school boys, each boy running a quarter mile. This exhibition will be on the track at the football field, at four o'clock. The public is invited to witness this event. Admission is free.
At six o'clock Glenn Cunningham will speak at a football banquet in the high school banquet room, in honor of the football team. Tickets to the banquet are fifty cents each, and may be secured either at the school or at Hibbards' The number of plates to be served is limited to 250. Early purchase is advised.
Some of the important records held by Cunningham were given in the Index last week. He has had many thrilling athletic contests both in the United States and abroad. He will, no doubt, speak of some of these experiences during his appearance here.
Glenn entered University of Kansas in 1930 and engaged in track work under the famous coach Brutus Hamilton. The 1931-32 season found him for the first time in inter-collegiate competition. In the Big Six Meet that year in Lincoln, Nebraska, he established new conference records, running the half in 1:53.3, the mile in 4:14.3. A week later in the National Collegiate Meet in Chicago, he set a new mile record of 4:11.1, at that time the fastest mile ever run in an outdoor meet in the country. As time has gone on Cunningham has continued to occupy the top spot in the mile and other middle distance runs.
In 1933 Glenn received the Sullivan Award as the outstanding amateur athlete, a designation made possible through the votes of 600 outstanding sports writers and sports authorities. In the summer of 1933 he was captain of the American track team touring European countries and in 1934 he was captain of the American team touring the Orient. In 1936 Cunningham was selected as the most popular member of the Olympics team from the United States by his fellow athletes. Following the Olympics he was captain and manager of the American team touring Sweden.
He is a truly great person, a man to be admired, respected and followed. Because of his sterling qualities of sportsmanship, leadership, unselfish service and character he was able to rise over many obstacles to become the world's greatest miler. No higher or more fitting award could have been bestowed on him by his Alma Mater, the University of Kansas, than to have selected him honor man of the class of 1934 as outstanding in scholarship, in student activities, and in service to the school.
While Cunningham is known, internationally as a great runner, he has also been an able and faithful student. He holds his B. S. degree from the University of Kansas; an M. A. degree from the University of Iowa and recently was awarded his Ph.D. degree from New York University. After completing his course work for his Ph.D. degree he continued graduate work for one semester in the field of education at Columbia University.

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