Vaulting into History By Brian Risso It’s safe to say that there haven’t Pole Vault Summit, a special cer- been many athletes who have made emony was held honoring some of the same kind of impact on Fresno the greatest athletes in American State athletics asCornelius history. Honored guests included Warmerdam.Warmerdam, nicknamed American Olympians and World “Dutch”, is arguably one of - if not the Record holders such as Bob Richards, - most recognized and well-known Bob Seagren, Billy Olsen, Stacy figures in the history of the Bulldog Dragila, Jan Johnson and Don Baird. track and field program. The former The American Vaulter of the Century Fresno State head coach was Award was divided into four catego- instrumental in establishing a rich ries: Fiberglass Pole Vaulter of the tradition in the pole vault for the Century, Steel Pole Vaulter of the Bulldogs. It all began nearly 60 years Century, Bamboo Pole Vaulter of the ago when Warmerdam shocked the Century and American Pole Vaulter track world by clearing 15 feet in of the Century. Bob Seagren, the University of California’s Edwards 1968 Olympic Gold Medallist and Stadium in Berkeley on April 13, 1940, 1972 Silver Medallist was honored as eclipsing the previous world record the Fiberglass Pole Vaulter of the of 14-11 set in 1937. At that time, 15 Century. Bob Richards, the 1952 and feet was thought to be impossible. 1956 Olympic Gold Medallist, was Since then fiberglass poles have honored as the Steel Pole Vaulter of replaced the bamboo Warmerdam the Century. Warmerdam, who held used, and fluffy foam rubber pits have the Pole Vault World Record for more taken over for the old piles of saw- than 15 years, was named the dust. Warmerdam continued to American Pole Vaulter of the Century. dominate as he cleared 15 feet or Due to World War II and his being a better 43 different times before any “professional” coach, he never had other vaulter could clear the height the opportunity to compete in the once. His outdoor best of 15-7 3/4 Olympics. He dominated the sport stood for 15 years before Bob longer than any other individual and Gutowlski broke the record with an amazingly, no one broke his record aluminum pole in 1957, while his until the advent of the steel pole. indoor best of 15-8 1/2 stood for 16 years. Cornelius "Dutch" Warmerdam named In 2001, Warmerdam was named as Warmerdam’s accomplishments have "Fresno State's Greatest Athlete of “Fresno State’s Greatest Athlete of the also left a lasting impression on the the 20th Century" and the "American 20th Century” by the fans of Fresno State Pole Vaulter of the Century", held current Bulldog track and field program. the outdoor pole vaulting record of athletics. The fans had the opportunity to Warmerdam Field has been playing host 15-7 3/4 for 15 years from 1942-57. vote on Fresno State’s 25 Greatest to Fresno State home meets since its Athletes of the 20th Century at athletics construction in 1976. The nine-lane, 400- One of the final large-scale events venues, sponsor locations and on-line on meter on-campus facility is named after honoring the legend, the 2000 USA Track Fresno State’s official athletics web the seven-time AAU pole vault champion. and Field Pole Vault Summit, proved to be sitewww.gobulldogs.com. Warmerdam Not to mention current Bulldog track and a huge affair as over 1,000 pole vaulters was also the recipient of the John L. field head coach Bob Fraley, who has and coaches from throughout the world Sullivan Award in 1942, which is given to known Warmerdam since the two at- attended this event. Numerous past and the nation’s top amateur athletes. He had tended Hardwick Elementary School in present Pole Vaulting greats showed up to been the runner-up for the same award the Kings County, Calif. relive memories and create new ones. Jeff year before. The former Fresno State “To me, he was my hero," said Fraley. Hartwig, the American Record Holder and standout was voted the “Greatest Field "I'm in the position I am right now because Atlanta Olympian, won the men’s Super Athlete of All-Time” by a national UPI poll of his influence. He is world-renowned Elite Competition with a World leading in 1955. Warmerdam was also elected to and has done a great deal for the univer- jump of 19-4 1/2 (5.90m). Kelly Suttle won several Hall of Fames, including the United sity. He is simply one of the best athletes the women’s Super Elite Competition with States Track and Field Hall of Fame, the ever." a jump of 13-11 3/4 (4.25m). More than National Track and Field Hall of Fame and Perhaps what sets Warmerdam apart 2,000 fans packed the Reno/Sparks a 1985 charter member of the Fresno from other student-athletes who have Convention Center in Reno, Nev., two State Track and Field Hall of Fame. made an impact in their respective sports, years ago to witness the naming of the is the attention he has received on both American Pole Vaulter of the Century. As the national and local levels. part of the United States Track and Field History of a Legacy Timeline for Dutch Warmerdam June 22, 1915 - Born in Long Beach, Calif. 1918 - Moved to Hanford, Calif. 1934-1938 - Enrolled in Fresno State College, graduated with a B.A. Degree 1934-1938 - FSC basketball student-athlete 1935-1937 - FSC track student-athlete 1938-1939 - Attended Stanford University as a student earning his General Secondary Teaching Credential 1939-1941 - Taught at Summerville High School in Tuolumne, Calif. 1941 -1943 - Taught at Piedmont High School in Piedmont, Calif. 1943-1945 - Served in the United States Navy 1946 - Assistant Track Coach at Stanford , received M.A. Degree 1947-1953 - Appointed teacher and Basketball Coach at FSC 1953-1959 - Appointed Assistant Track Coach at FSC 1960-1980 - Appointed Head Track Coach at FSC 1963 - Assistant Track Coach for the Pan Am Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil 1965 - Assumed directorship of West Coast Relays 1965-1972 - Member of the U.S. Track and Field Committee 1967 - U.S. Track Coach for Pan Am Games in Winnepeg, Canada - Coach for the North and South American Team against the European Team in Montreal, Canada Pole Vaulting History Indoor Outdoor 1937 - Tied for World Record, 14-07 5/8 1939 - Set World Record, 14-06 1/8, New York April, 1940 - Set World Record, 15-00, Berkeley, Calif. 1942 - Set World Record, 15-00 3/8, New York June, 1940 - Set World Record, 15-01 1/8, Fresno, Calif. 1942 - Set World Record, 15-02, Boston, Mass. April, 1941 - Set World Record, 15-02 5/8, Stanford 1942 - Set World Record, 15-07 1/4, Boston, Mass. June, 1941 - Compton Invite, 15-04 1/4 & 15-05 3/4 1943 - Set World Record, 15-08 1/2, Chicago, Ill. 1942 - Set World Record, 15-06 7/8, Berkeley, Calif. - Set World Record, 15-07 3/4, Modesto, Calif. It took 15 years for someone to break his world record...he cleared 15 feet, 43 times before any other athlete cleared it once. Honors 1942 - John L. Sullivan Award 1955 - Greatest Field Athlete, united Press Poll 1958 - Fresno County Hall of Fame - Helms Hall of Fame - NAIA Hall of Fame - Northern California Hall of Fame 1974 - National Track and Field Hall of Fame - United States Track and Field Hall of Fame - Tulare-Kings County Athletic Hall of Fame 1985 - Charter member, Fresno State Track and Field Hall of Fame 2000 - Named "American Pole Vaulter of the Century" by United States Track and Field 2001 - Named "Fresno State's Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century" Personal Married wife Juanita Anderson in 1940, has five children, Mark, Gloria Cenci, Greg, Dave and Barry..