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