Morning buzz

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Today, Willie Banks – UCLA’s former world record holder in the long jump – will be inducted into the USC-UCLA dual track meet Hall of Fame. He was the first selection for the new hall of fame.

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About Jill Painter

Jill Painter is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles News Group, covering everything from the Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, USC, UCLA, Kings, golf and all human interest stories in sports.
  • Anonymous

    Looks like they’re trying to drum up interest in a sport from a bygone era.

  • Wes Covington

    Willie Banks was a triple jumper, not a long jumper. Another Bruin, Mike Powell, holds the record in the long jump.

  • saxylady

    Those of us who have been around for a while can remember Willie’s meet-winning triple jump in the UCLA-U$C meet his freshman year!!! He jumped over 55′ on his last jump to win the meet, which was 2′ farther than he had ever jumped before!!! And some of us actually ENJOY track and field.

  • mrybill2

    Hi Mindy!

    I was there too, as you may remember. What I most remember was that Drake Stadium was 1) packed and 2) jumpin’. The biggest on-campus crowds used to be at UCLA track meets (especially the SC dual meet), not basketball games.
    I also remember that some SC long jumper (Randy Williams maybe?) won a Gold Medal in the ’72 Olympics but went 0-for-4 in our dual meet. Sweet!

  • http://insidesocal.com/painting Jill Painter

    The press release said long jumper. But yes, he was a triple jumper. 55-1 in the triple jump his freshman year in that meet. I’ll have more on Banks later this week.

  • FIGHT ON USA!

    mrbill2,

    It was USC long jumper Randy Williams who represented his country proudly in Germany and brought a Gold Medal back to the United States. Sweet indeed!