OT - "Race"

[CaribouJim]

"Race" hits the theaters today and I have been trying to see if there are any scenes in the trailers with the guy playing Ralph Metcalfe wearing a Marquette top, but I think they overlapped only one college season if I'm not mistaken. Did see one scene with a guy in a Temple top (not Bill Cosby!!) so possibly that was the trials so maybe Ralph gets a scene there w/ an MU singlet.

He did get the Silver in the 100 M and part of the 4 x 100 relay that won Gold in the '36 Olympics and I think I saw a scene where it looks like it could have been Ralph leaning at the finish of the 100 to get his Silver.

Ralph had an impressive '32 Olympics as well losing a tight one in the 100 to Eddie Tolan (who was ex-Cardinal and Red Bobby Tolan's cousin. For those of you that played Strat-O-Matic no surprise that Bobby was an "A" stealer - in the genes).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Metcalfe

[Gato78]

I emailed Dr. Lovell and Bill Scholl about Ralph Metcalfe a few months back. I read something that spurred it, not sure what it was. Ralph Metcalfe's history is absolutely incredible--including his scholarship to MU when it may not have been "politically correct" to do so. Remember that Al McGuire was fighting with Adolph Rupp on this issue 30 years later and was considered a trailblazer. In any event, scholarship to MU, conversion to Catholicism, multiple Olympic Medals including the famous 1936 Olympics (Ralph's role seems neglected because of Jesse Owens but he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Jesse). Later an alderman, Congressman and founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. He might be the most important alum in MU history. He is not properly honored by MU, though I understand there is a Ralph Metcalfe Award within the Athletic Department. He should have a statue or the new Athletic Performance Center should be named for him.

[TheSultan]

I emailed Dr. Lovell and Bill Scholl about Ralph Metcalfe a few months back. I read something that spurred it, not sure what it was. Ralph Metcalfe's history is absolutely incredible--including his scholarship to MU when it may not have been "politically correct" to do so. Remember that Al McGuire was fighting with Adolph Rupp on this issue 30 years later and was considered a trailblazer. In any event, scholarship to MU, conversion to Catholicism, multiple Olympic Medals including the famous 1936 Olympics (Ralph's role seems neglected because of Jesse Owens but he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Jesse). Later an alderman, Congressman and founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. He might be the most important alum in MU history. He is not properly honored by MU, though I understand there is a Ralph Metcalfe Award within the Athletic Department. He should have a statue or the new Athletic Performance Center should be named for him.


The fact that many Marquette alumni don't really know who he is is rather damning. I had a vague notion of who he was as an athlete up until just a few years ago. When I heard the rest, I was shocked that he isn't honored more prominently. "Most important alum" is a pretty darn accurate statement.

[ValiantSailor]

...the new Athletic Performance Center should be named for him.

What a great idea. How can we get behind it?

VS

[Nukem2]

The fact that many Marquette alumni don't really know who he is is rather damning. I had a vague notion of who he was as an athlete up until just a few years ago. When I heard the rest, I was shocked that he isn't honored more prominently. "Most important alum" is a pretty darn accurate statement.
Agreed.

[Nukem2]

What a great idea. How can we get behind it?

VSIndeed a good idea.

[Goose85]

When you watch the clips of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics you can see that Metcalfe was very close to being the guy to win that race.

Here is a recent article for the Journal, with a picture showing Metcalfe beating Owens in the 100 at MU.


http://www.jsonline.com/greensheet/ralph-metcalfe-beats-jesse-owens-at-marquette--in-1934-b99669717z1-369048961.html

[TheSultan]

What a great idea. How can we get behind it?

VS


Write a big check.

But seriously, having an organized effort like a letter writing campaign would be a good place to start.

[MU/Panther]

Let's just say this, I'm very strong at history and I have no clue who this person is.

[CaribouJim]

Wow - what an awesome picture. MU should have that picture and more of him available for sale in the Spirit Shop. Would be cool to have a replica singlet for sale as well.

One of my track coaches in high school was a 2-time Olympian in the 5000 in '76 and '80 (boycotted) and one of only a few US guys to beat Steve Prefontaine and he set the world record in the indoor mile in '78 and shortly thereafter on the cover of the Sports Illustrated. He used to run with us and he was in his prime. 'Nova grad and really nice, low key guy.

Winning a Gold in Track & Field in the Olympics is about as high as it gets for me being a big Track & Field fan. Ralph was studly in back-to-back Olympics and agree that he should get more recognition from the MU community.

[mufan2003]

I went to MU for undergraduate and graduate school, I did not know who he was either. Thanks for sharing, quite a life story.

[pbiflyer]

There is or at least was a picture in the holocaust museum in Washington of Metcalf and Owens. Ralph was wearing his Marquette jersey.

[Litehouse]

If not the new athletics facility, maybe they could name Valley Fields after him, or at least the track.

[pbiflyer]

880

[CaribouJim]

880

Cool font for Marquette.

[MUAlphaBangura]

This was about 10-12 years ago...... we were vacationing in Palm Desert California at the Desert Springs resort. As usual, I'm wearing Marquette gear as I go to the fitness center. Thought it was odd that a guy who looked to be in his 90's was working there. I walk by him and say good morning..... he says good morning and asks if I went to Marquette. I said yes.... he then asks if I ever heard of Ralph Metcalfe. I said yes I had. He proceeds to tell me that he ran against Ralph and Jesse back in the day. Talked of how they sometimes were not allowed to run in competitions and laughed that those were the races he actually had a chance to win. Told a story about how he gave them a ride to a competition one time as they were not allowed on public transportation. It was so cool and absolutely fascinating, then it got even better. He opens up his wallet and pulls out a photo of himself flanked by Jesse and Ralph in their track uniforms. So, always wear your Marquette gear......you never know who you might run into.

[MUMac]

This was about 10-12 years ago...... we were vacationing in Palm Desert California at the Desert Springs resort. As usual, I'm wearing Marquette gear as I go to the fitness center. Thought it was odd that a guy who looked to be in his 90's was working there. I walk by him and say good morning..... he says good morning and asks if I went to Marquette. I said yes.... he then asks if I ever heard of Ralph Metcalfe. I said yes I had. He proceeds to tell me that he ran against Ralph and Jesse back in the day. Talked of how they sometimes were not allowed to run in competitions and laughed that those were the races he actually had a chance to win. Told a story about how he gave them a ride to a competition one time as they were not allowed on public transportation. It was so cool and absolutely fascinating, then it got even better. He opens up his wallet and pulls out a photo of himself flanked by Jesse and Ralph in their track uniforms. So, always wear your Marquette gear......you never know who you might run into.

That's an awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

[jpvegas52]

He might be the most important alum in MU history. He should have a statue or the new Athletic Performance Center should be named for him.

+1000

[CaribouJim]

That's an awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

Agreed. Might be the most interesting post of 2016.

[MayorBeluga]

Mrs. Mayor wanted to see a movie last night after Hizzoner returned from Rosemont. We chose Race based on this thread. Wow. Incredibly well done. Ralph Metcalfe makes a few appearances, but you need to know who he is. There is one NCAA race where he is shown wearing a Marquette jersey very similar to the one shown above.

Hizzoner highly recommends the movie.

[CaribouJim]

Mrs. Mayor wanted to see a movie last night after Hizzoner returned from Rosemont. We chose Race based on this thread. Wow. Incredibly well done. Ralph Metcalfe makes a few appearances, but you need to know who he is. There is one NCAA race where he is shown wearing a Marquette jersey very similar to the one shown above.

Hizzoner highly recommends the movie.

That's good to hear - some of the reviews have been so, so. A friend of mine in Texas saw it yesterday and she gave it a big thumbs up as well.