For attendance, the over 45K in Cleveland Saturday probably cliches that debate.
Regarding the “ability to win an NC” part, men’s hockey has had some chances to make a run the last few years, but I think there are a few sports more likely to win one: men’s tennis was ranked #1 last week and has won indoor titles but not yet the NCAA-recognized outdoor event; and (as I’m sure you know) women‘s hockey won the NC last year and are currently #1 in Pairwise.
And these other sports have actually won an NC in the last 10 seasons: wrestling (2015), men’s volleyball (2016 & ‘17), women’s rowing (2013, ‘14, & ‘15), co-ed fencing (2012), women’s and co-ed pistol (both have 7 NCs including 2021 and ‘22, but aren‘t fully recognized NCAA events), and synchronized swimming (33 NCs including 2022: but also not a fully recognized NCAA event).
And as long as I’m on the topic, these sports also won NCs ‘back in the day‘, but don't have a realistic shot at another one any time soon: Golf, Men’s gymnastics, Men’s outdoor track, and Men’s swimming and diving (11 times, last one in 1962).
It only takes 4 or 5 top athletes to have a shot at a track NC. It you have a Chris Nelloms or Jesse Owens who can guarantee 2 or 3 firsts and others who can guarantee a couple of firsts or seconds - 1936 Bucks Owens won 100 dash, 220 dash, 220 hurdles, and long jump. Charlies Beethman won the 880, Dave Albritton and Mel Walker tied for first in the high jump. Bucks ended up second with 74 points
USU won by getting a ton of top ten finishes in everything. Depth over stars.
OK, the ol' track coach in me takes over. Look at these performances - think cinder track, thick leather shoes, think wool singlets, think using a garden spade to dig your starting blocks. think of the state of nutrition and weight training in the Depression years.
100-meter dash
1.
Jesse Owens, Ohio State - 10.2 seconds (new world record)
2.
Foy Draper, USC
3.
Sam Stoller, Michigan
4. Adrian Talley, USC
5. Harvey Wallender, Texas
6. George Boone, USC
200-meter dash
1.
Jesse Owens, Ohio State - 21.3 seconds
2. Harvey Wallender, Texas
3. Foy Draper, USC
4. Jack Weiershauser, Stanford
5. Herschel Neil, Northwest (Missouri) State Teachers
6. Clark Crane, USC
220-yard low hurdles
1.
Jesse Owens, Ohio State - 23.1 seconds
2.
Don Elser, Notre Dame
3. Ben Willis, Kentucky
4. Jack Patterson, Rice
5. Dick Kearns, Colorado
6. Leland Lafond, USC
400-meter run
1.
Archie Williams, California - 47.0 seconds
800-meter run
1.
Charles Beetham, Ohio State - 1:53.0
2. Ross Bush, USC
3. Marmaduke Hobbs, Indiana
4. Joe McGrath, Notre Dame
5. George O'Brien, Ohio State
6. Louis Brothers, Rice
Field events
Broad jump
1.
Jesse Owens, Ohio State - 25 feet, 10+7⁄8 inches
2. Kermit King, Pittsburg (Kansas) State Teachers
3. George Boone, USC
4. Donald Skinner, USC
5. Clark Crane, USC
6. Richard Brunton, Illinois
High jump
1.
Dave Albritton, Ohio State - 6 feet, 6+1⁄8 inches
1.
Mel Walker, Ohio State - 6 feet, 6+1⁄8 inches
3. Al Threadgill, Temple
