In recent years, a piece of history has gone missing from Ferry Field in Ann Arbor. The plaque commemorating Jesse Owens’ incredible achievement at the 1935 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships was taken down. However, fear not, as a new plaque will soon be unveiled to honor the legendary athlete.
The International Athletics Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving and honoring significant moments in track and field history, is responsible for creating the new plaque. This World Athletics Heritage Plaque will be unveiled on May 9 at 10 a.m., one day before the 2024 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships. It is fitting that Owens’ record-breaking feats took place during these championships on May 25, 1935, when he was competing for Ohio State University.
Despite battling injuries, Owens managed to break world records in the 100-yard dash, long jump, 220-yard dash, and 220-yard low hurdles at the conference championships that year. A year later, he went on to win four gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in attendance.
The original plaque honoring Owens was dedicated in 1985 and stood at the southeast corner of Ferry Field. The new plaque will now take its place there and continue to recognize and celebrate Owens’ historic achievements. There is hope that members of Owens’ family will be present for the unveiling ceremony on May 9th.
For more news updates on this topic and others like it subscribe to our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools