One of Ohio's most decorated athletes, Glenn "Jeep" Davis scored all 20 of Barberton's points to lead his team to the championship at the 1954 state track meet.

Feb. 9, 2009

Remembering Glenn "Jeep" Davis

Three-time Olympic gold medalist was also long-time coach at Barberton

Among the many great track and field athletes who have competed in the state meet over the years, one name has stood out: Glenn “Jeep” Davis, the former state, collegiate and Olympic champion who recently passed away.

Davis was the first male track and field athlete to single-handedly lead a team to a state championship, having scored all 20 of Barberton’s points in the 1954 Class A state meet. Davis won the 220-yard dash, the broad jump and the 180-yard low hurdles – setting a then-state record in that event – while also placing fourth in the 100-yard dash. His point total placed him ahead of Mansfield, which scored 14 points in the meet and took second.

Davis, who also earned All-Ohio honors on the football field his senior season, went on to Ohio State and had an illustrious career there, as well. Overall, he won eight Big Ten championships and an NCAA title at the 1958 national championships. That same year, Davis earned the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete.

In 1956, Davis won the gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics in the 400-meter hurdles, then won two more gold medals in the 1960 Rome Olympics in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 1600-meter relay.

Davis set five world records during his career, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1960, and also played briefly for the Detroit Lions. In 2006, the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame recognized Davis as the greatest athlete in county history.

After coaching the track team at Cornell University from 1963-1967, Davis returned to Barberton High School, where he taught, was an assistant coach on the football team and the head track and field coach for 33 years.

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By Scott Miles, contact: smiles@ohsaa.org