Howard Drew

Howard Porter Drew

• Height 5' 8", Weight 143 lb.

• School Drake University
• High School Springfield (MA) High School

• Born June 28, 1890 in Lexington, VA USA
• Died February 19, 1957 in West Haven, CT USA

Biographical Information

Howard Drew has been called the world's "first great black sprinter". He ran in the 100 meter dash in the 1912 Olympics. He also hit leadoff for the first Team USA, in the baseball exhibition in that event; at the time, US pro baseball teams were segregated but Team USA's first edition was integrated. Starting in right field, he went 0 for 1 with a hit-by-pitch and a run before Lawrence Whitney took over. He later set the world record in the 100-yard dash (1913) and tied the record in the 220-yard straight (1914).

Drew served in the United States Army during World War I then became a lawyer and worked in the court system in Hartford, CT.

Source: Olympedia