George Poage facts for kids
 George Poage |
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing the  United States |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Bronze | 1904 St. Louis | 200 metre hurdles |
| Bronze | 1904 St. Louis | 400 metre hurdles |
George Coleman Poage (born November 6, 1880 – died April 11, 1962) was an American track and field athlete. He made history by becoming the first African-American athlete to win a medal at the Olympic Games. He earned two bronze medals at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis.
Contents
The Life of George Poage
His Early Years
George Poage was born in Hannibal, Missouri. His family moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1884. After his father passed away in 1888, George, his mother, and his sibling moved in with the Easton family.
At La Crosse High School, George was an excellent student and athlete. People considered him the best athlete at the school. In 1899, he was the class salutatorian, which means he was the second-highest-ranking student. He was also the first African-American to graduate from that high school.
College and Olympic Achievements
After high school, George started at the University of Wisconsin. He joined the varsity track and field team in his second year. George was the first black athlete to compete for the university. He was very good at short sprints and hurdles. He often scored points for his team and earned a lot of respect. In 1902, when his coach was away, he put George in charge of the team.
George graduated in 1903 with a degree in History. He stayed at the university for another year, taking more history classes. The athletic department hired him as a trainer for the football team. In June 1904, he became the first African-American to win a Big Ten track championship. He won both the 440-yard dash and the 220-yard hurdles.
The Milwaukee Athletic Club helped George compete in the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis. Some important African-American leaders had asked people to boycott the games. This was to protest racial segregation, where black and white people were kept separate. The Olympics and the World's Fair had separate areas for spectators. George chose to compete in four events. He became the first African-American to win an Olympic medal. He won bronze medals in both the 200-yard and 400-yard hurdles.
Life After the Olympics
After the Olympics, George Poage stayed in St. Louis. He worked as a school principal for a year. Then, he became a teacher at Charles Sumner High School, which was a segregated school. He led the English department, teaching English and Latin. He also helped coach sports teams and supervised activities like debate and theater.
In 1914, George left his job at the school. Some people believe he bought a farm in Minnesota. In 1920, he moved to Chicago. He worked in a restaurant for four years. In 1924, George started working for the United States Postal Service. He was a postal clerk for almost thirty years. After he retired in the 1950s, he stayed in Chicago until he passed away in 1962.
Legacy
George Poage was honored for his achievements. In 1998, he was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 2013, the city council in La Crosse, Wisconsin, renamed Hood Park to George C. Poage Park. This was done to remember and honor him.
See also
In Spanish: George Poage para niños
