I had Larry Snyder, long time track coach for the Buckeyes, for a coaching class. His best story was about the 1935 Big 10 championships at Ann Arbor. Owens had fallen down a flight of stairs and injured his back on Friday morning. Snyder wasn't sure he'd be able to compete. The Depression meant slim budgets for all sports so Snyder took off for Ann Arbor with high jumper Dave Albritton, half miler Charlie Beetham and Jesse Owens. They taped a hot water bottle to Owens' back, wrapped him in blankets and stuffed him into the rumble seat for the long ride.
In just 20 minutes Jesse set the track world spinning. He equaled his world record of 9.4 in the 100 yd. dash, long jumped 26'8, setting the world record, won the 220 dash in 20.3 another world record and then winning the 220 lows in 22.6 also a world record. Tieing one world record and establish three others! And look at the times and distance... on cinders, before starting blocks, leather spikes...
Beetham won the half mile and Albrittion the high jump giving the Buckeyes a Big 10 championship with only three athletes competing!
Snyder claimed that he walked up to Jesse after the 220 lows and said, "Maybe we should have you fall down the steps again."
On the dark side, Owens was not on scholarship, could not live in Baker Hall (the men's dormitory) and had to eat his meals in restaurants that served "blacks only." When the team traveled, Owens and Albritton had to stay in "black" hotels.. and this is in the North, not Jim Crow Dixie.
I was in Ohio Stadium for the 1960 Homecoming. Jesse's daughter, Marleen, was in the Homecoming court. Jesse, still looking ready to run, put on his OSU singlet and shorts and made a triumphal run around the track prior to the start of the game, the fans standing and cheering as if the Buckeyes had just beaten Michigan. At half time he was honored and asked to crown the queen, his daughter. Setting aside what had to be bitter memories, he looked at her and said, "Remember, Marleen, this could only happen in America."
Thanks to BB73 for corrections... 1960 and Marleen, not Maureen. I stand by the rest of the story.