LeRoy Samse facts for kids
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| Medal record | ||
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| Men’s athletics | ||
Representing the  United States |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 1904 St Louis | Pole vault |
LeRoy Perry Samse (born September 13, 1883 – died May 1, 1956) was an American athlete. He was best known for his skills in the pole vault. Samse proudly represented the United States at the 1904 Summer Olympics. These games were held in St Louis, United States. He competed in the pole vault event and won a silver medal.
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Who Was LeRoy Samse?
LeRoy Samse was a talented athlete from the United States. He became famous for his abilities in the pole vault. This sport involves using a long, flexible pole to jump over a high bar. Samse competed at the highest level, including the Olympic Games.
Early Life and Education
LeRoy Samse attended Kokomo High School from 1899 to 1902. After high school, he went to Indiana University. It was there that he started pole vaulting. His coach, James H. Horne, helped him learn the sport.
Setting a World Record
Samse became a record-breaker in pole vaulting. On June 2, 1906, he set a new world record. This happened at a college sports meet in Evanston, Illinois. He jumped an amazing 12 feet, 4 and 7/8 inches high. This jump beat the old record by Alfred Carlton Gilbert of Yale University. Gilbert had set his record just three days earlier.
Life After Sports
After finishing college, Samse joined a traveling show. He performed in a "triple bar horizontal act." Later, he did an "aerial act" at county fairs. In 1920, he started a new career. He became the Physical Education director for schools in Los Angeles. He worked in this role until he retired in 1946.
Honoring His Legacy
In 2009, Indiana University started a special event. It is called the LeRoy Samse Invitational. This informal meeting challenges pole vaulters. They must use poles that do not bend, just like Samse used. The first event was won by Vera Neuenswander (women's, 9 feet). Jeff Coover won for the men (12 feet). Samse's personal record of 12 feet, 4 and 7/8 inches is still the meet record.
