Kenneth L. Wilson
Kenneth Leon "Tug" Wilson (March 27, 1896 – February 2, 1979) was an American track and field athlete and amateur athletics administrator. He competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics, finishing tenth in the discus throw competition. Wilson served as the second commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, from 1945 to 1961, and as the president of the United States Olympic Committee from 1953 to 1965.[1]
 Wilson in 1920 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 27, 1896 Atwood, Illinois, United States |
| Died | February 2, 1979 (aged 82) Wilmette, Illinois, United States |
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Discus throw, shot put, javelin throw |
| Club | Chicago AA |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | DT – 37.58 m (1920) JT – 52.55 m (1920)[1][2] |
Early life
Wilson graduated from Atwood High School in 1914 and began a career in education the following school year by teaching in a country school for two years. He enrolled at the University of Illinois in 1916 and studied agriculture.
College athletics
Wilson was a multi-sport athlete, playing for the Fighting Illini on the 1919 team and named captain for the 1920 team. During the 1920 season, Wilson would play with Helms Athletic Foundation All-American Chuck Carney. He also played end for the football team and was best known for his prowess in track and field. Wison threw the discus, javelin and shot, making the U.S. Olympic Team in javelin and discus. He competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics held in Antwerp by throwing the discus and placing tenth.
Post-graduate
Wison graduated from Illinois in 1920 but remained at the university as an assistant to the athletic director, George Huff. He utilized his experiences at Illinois to take the role of athletic director and head track coach at Drake from 1922-25. All of these experiences catapulted Wison into the athletic director position at Northwestern University where he remained until 1945. In 1945 Wison would be named commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, remaining in that position until 1961. Wilson also served as a member of the President's Council on Youth Fitness under President Eisenhower and Kennedy.
Personal information
Wilson married Dorothy Estelle Shade in 1924. His nickname, "Tug" was passed down from his father, Charles Wesley "Tug" Wilson.
References
- Kenneth Wilson. sports-reference.com
- Kenneth Wilson. trackfield.brinkster.net
