1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Lakers concerned injured LeBron James may miss more than a week. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. Known alternatively as the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor, Mr. Richards was one of the most dominating athletes of his time, leaping as high as 15 feet 6 inches with a stiff metal pole in the days before flexible fiberglass helped Olympic vaulters cross over bars nearly 20 feet in height. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File. A Facebook post . He is the only two-time male Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault, and also won gold medals at the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games, while earning silver in the decathlon at the 55 Pan American Games. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears will continue to field offers for the No. After winning a second goal medal, Mr. Richardss career as pitchman took off, buoyed not just by Wheaties but also his popular 1959 autobiography Heart of a Champion.. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: We lost a national treasure. He added that his father always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. Dozens killed after ship carrying migrants wrecks off Italy coast. Richards was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983, and to the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Atlanta Falcons release QB Marcus Mariota. When I came down, I went running down the straightaway, and the Russians were running to me, saying, Boo-tiful! Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before taking up the pole vault in junior high school. "I saw it more as a mission than a job," says Richards, who was the General Mills cereal's . 1 vaulter for eight consecutive years. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Waco's Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals in pole vaulting, died Sunday at age 97, his son Brandon confirmed in a social media post. (The first was Cornelius Dutch Warmerdam. Richards was the . His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Jeff's good friend and old training partner, Brandon Richards had an 8th grade son that vaulted at the school that Jeff was coaching at. He was 97. Don't Threaten. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. They remain pole vault gold for all that take the time to listen to his stories. In 1970, he bicycled 3,300 miles from Los Angeles to New York to promote fitness. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Bears explore trade for No. Matt Ludwig (unat) 19- | 5.80: 5. Bob Richards, a two-time . In a matter of minutes he has the Evansville salesmen in his grip. We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son. Joe Dial ('81) and nephew Bruce Dial ('93) both ranked No. 1 eight times in an . Ex-NFL star Irv Cross, who died in 2021, diagnosed with CTE. So did his grandson Riley, who won two state championships for China Spring High School before going on to compete at Baylor. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. 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From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Richards served as a spokesman for General Mills from 1956 to 70. They had never gotten on a track. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table hero to millions as the first champion on the front of the Wheaties box, died Sunday at his home in Waco, Texas. There was a time when former Olympic athlete Bob Richards seemed the personification of the all-American man: A two-time gold medal winner in the pole vault, he was the first jock to appear on the front of boxes of Wheaties "the breakfast of champions . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Travis Scott caught on camera howling Back the f*** up at DJ before alleged nightclub assault, Jimmy Kimmel: Im fighting to lose weight before Oscars because I looked like a homemade sausage!, Olivia Wilde ready to date again after Harry Styles split but only with amazing guy, Drug task force arrests Mt. How close is Florida's Trinity Thomas to the NCAA's perfect 10 record? He was 97. Use the 'Report' link on His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Capitalizing on his fame, Richards became director of the Wheaties Sports Federation, founded in 1958 after President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for a national physical fitness campaign. A year later, General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes and in television commercials. He motivated millions of people to achieve their dreams through positive sports stories, Brandon wrote. 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97, Wizards show plenty of heart early but cant find an edge late in Chicago. Richards retired from athletics in 1957 and became a spokesman for Wheaties cereal. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not play Tuesday due to his recent right foot injury, the team announced. Bob Richards, byname of Robert Eugene Richards, (born February 20, 1926, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.died February 26, 2023, Waco, Texas), American athlete, the first pole-vaulter to win two Olympic gold medals. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers want to know Aaron Rodgers' 2023 playing plans within the next three weeks, but have not set a date to meet with the quarterback, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday in Indianapolis. The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge. Bob Richards is a remarkable human being. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died The Rev. His daughter Tammy Richards LeSure confirmed the death but did not cite a specific cause. To feel that youve got it? He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Robert Eugene "Bob" Richards (born February 20, 1926), nicknamed the "Vaulting Vicar" or the "Pole Vaulting Parson" in his competitive days, was an American athlete who was known for pole vaulting in the Olympics.He competed in the 1948 (where he won a bronze medal), 1952 (gold medal), and 1956 Summer Olympics (gold medal) as a pole vaulter, and as a decathlete in 1956. He also appeared on a Wheaties box. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. Corrections? Richards was the most successful pole vaulter in U.S. track and field history, in terms of Olympic success. ", Olympic pole vault champ Richards dies at 97, Companies charged in Tokyo Olympic bid-rigging, Serbia grabs last spot in Basketball World Cup, Olsen earns WC slalom win after Ginnis DQ'd, US Olympic Sailing Team executive director quits. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I say this and dont say this to be humble, Mr. Richards said in a recorded speech sold as Theres Genius in the Average Man, but I reckon that there were over a million guys in America who could have beaten me in both Olympic Games. Story Links. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. He was 97. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. Jacob Wooten (unat) . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. But pole vaulting, which he took up in junior high, was his obsession. Low near 40F. By Robert D. McFadden Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table hero to millions as the first champion on the front of the Wheaties box, died Sunday at his home in Waco, Texas. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. He also won decathlon championships in the 1951 and 195455 AAU meets. 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, UConn men roll over DePaul in home finale, Former UConn men's basketball coach Fred Shabel has died, Xavier No. History of US Nationals Results: Pole Vault - Men. To this day, Richards three Olympic medals (two gold, one bronze) are more than any other mens competitor in history. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism He was also a football quarterback in high school. He was 97. I cant do anything. Keep it Clean. Bob Richards, a three-time olympian and the first athlete to ever be featured on a Wheaties cereal box, has died, his son said on social media. They each will now pursue consideration to be the No. Robert Eugene Richards is an American retired athlete, minister, and politician. Bob Richards, a two-time . He was 97. Please subscribe to keep reading. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. ALLEN EYESTONE/ THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK, By CHARLIE MELTON Boo-tiful! This big Russian picked me up and gave me a hug, and that photo was seen all over the world.. But he escaped the street life into religion and athletics. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. ', 'Saturday Night Live' skit with Woody Harrelson takes place at Naval Submarine Base New London, Los Charros Cantina closes in Essex, will relocate to Branford, Second winter storm could hit parts of CT Friday, National Weather Service says, Bo Hickey, former New Canaan hockey, football coach and NFL player, has died. London 1948, bronze (pole vault) Helsinki 1952, gold (pole vault) Melbourne 1956, gold (pole vault) . He was 97. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. He also was the oldest living Olympic track and field champion before his death. Updated Wed., March 1, 2023 at 11:18 a.m. Bob Richards, an ordained minister who became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box after he won two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault during the 1950s, an accomplishment he parlayed into a successful career as a motivational speaker, died Feb. 26 at his home in Waco, Tex. In between pole vaulting competitions, he taught at LaVerne College, a Brethren-affiliated school in Southern California. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a . He was 97. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in 1947, the same year he tied for first in pole vaulting at the NCAA championships. Several of his children and grandchildren became competitive pole vaulters, surpassing his 15 feet 6 inches by several feet - though they werent vaulting with a metal pole. Bob Richards was the second man to vault 15 feet and, like the first man over this height, Cornelius "Dutch" Warmerdam, he dominated the event for a number of years. Richards competed at the 1948, '52 . He was the second person ever to pole vault over 15 feet (4.6 metres), a feat he accomplished in 1947. . Although he broke Olympic records and Russian hearts, and he became one of Americas most lionized and familiar celebrities a motivational speaker and Wheaties pitchman who personified wholesome values and once ran for president of the United States on a third party ticketRichards, even at the peak of his athletic power, was not the greatest American pole-vaulter of all time. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Herbert Scharfman, Associated Press file photo, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Elementary school music teacher leaves $6M to Baylor, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Mike Copeland: Steak and Ale comeback; Paper plant progress; Bagby apartments; Gaines Booked Up, Lake on Waco Creek floated for park next to Floyd Casey development, Whizzbang's owner buys Health Camp with eye to preserving burger joint legacy, Sheriff names man found dead of apparent gunshot in Golinda, Waco Charter School to close after summer classes, La Vega, Fairfield girls know the way to San Antone, clinching state trips, Brothers continue dad's clear legacy at Freddy's Glass, Brice Cherry: Collen pushes all the right buttons in her best coaching performance yet, The GOAT of tennis families lives in Groesbeck. Hes out there in the middle of the fight.. In his life after sports, Richards portrayed himself in a television biography, Leap to Heaven (1957); hosted a weekly childrens television program in Los Angeles; reported for NBC, CBS and ABC on the Olympic Games in Rome; Innsbruck, Austria; Tokyo and Montreal; and delivered some 12,000 motivational speeches to corporate sales forces, high school students and community organizations. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of . Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. Former Wheaties Spokesman Said to Back Racist Party. He married the college presidents niece, Mary Leah Cline, in 1946. Robert E. "Bob" Richards came to Bridgewater in 1944 and was a two-sport athlete. In the United States presidential election, 1984 Richards ran for President of the Uni Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . 2023 University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Can you imagine going into a boxing ring thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest?. But from 1947 to 1957, he dominated national and international competitions by clearing 15 feet more than 125 times. Media in category "Bob Richards" The following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. In 1970, he married Vonda Joan Beaird. Until 2012, he had lived on a ranch in Santo, Texas, which he named the Crossbar Ranch and which was involved in numerous commercial activities, including oil and gas exploration and horse and cattle grazing. March 1 (UPI) -- Veteran winger Patrick Kane says it was "bittersweet" to learn he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the New York Rangers, but the move puts him in a "better spot" for a fourth championship. In 1984, saying the country must work to get rid of these tyrants who rule us, he ran for president on the Populist Party ticket. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly. Richards also became involved in politics, and he was the Populist Partys presidential candidate in the 1984 election; he received approximately 66,000 votes. Sportswriters called him the Vaulting Vicar because he was an ordained minister. American pole vaulter Bob Richards won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London in 1948. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4 | 5.90: t2. He is an actor, . His grandfather, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- the same place the . Wacos Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals in pole vaulting, died Sunday at age 97, his son Brandon confirmed in a social media post. For 100 years, Wheaties has been a source of morning nutrition and . Richards excelled in basketball, where he was an All Mason/Dixon selection in 1945. . When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. ), Mr. Richards started but didnt complete a doctorate in philosophy. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaker. Bob Richards waves to the crowd after winning the pole vault gold medal at 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. Threats of harming another Will Anderson Jr., top pass rush prospects mimic NFL greats, eye top spot. Long before modern athletes began . Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. Staff report. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Richards was the first athlete to appear on the front of the Wheaties cereal box in 1958 and was a national promoter of physical fitness. 1. I went over the crossbar by a foot. He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. "He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be," Brandon Richards said. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. Bob Richards was born on February 20, 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Richards won the bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- same! In category & quot ; the following 7 files are in this category, out 7! 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