On this day in Alabama history: AU track coach was born
Auburn University track and field coach Mel Rosen, left, handed leadership of the team to Harvey Glance in 1991 after leading the Tigers for 28 years. Rosen went on to coach the U.S. men's track and field team in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Auburn University Libraries)
March 24, 1928
Auburn University track coach Mel Rosen was born in New York. Rosen came to Auburn as an assistant track coach under Wilbur Hutsell in 1955 and became head coach of men’s track and field in 1963. During his 28-year tenure in the position, he led Auburn to five SEC championships, won three NCAA Coach of the Year awards, and coached seven Olympians, 143 All-Americans, 63 SEC champions and eight NCAA champions. In 1992, Rosen became the head coach of the U.S. men’s track and field team at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, where he guided the team to 20 medals, including eight gold. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.
For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.
