Percy Beard facts for kids

Percy Beard

Medal record
Men's track and field
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver	1932 Los Angeles	110 metre hurdles

Percy Morris Beard was an amazing American athlete and coach. He was born on January 26, 1908, and passed away on March 27, 1990. Percy was famous for running in high hurdles races. He even won a silver medal at the Olympic Games! Later, he became a very well-known track and field coach at the University of Florida.

Percy Beard's Athletic Journey

Percy Beard was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. He became a fantastic hurdler while studying at Alabama Polytechnic Institute. This school is now known as Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.

After he graduated in 1929, Percy kept competing. He joined the New York Athletic Club. He was so good that he set a new world record! In 1931, he ran the 120-yard high hurdles in just 14.2 seconds. He even tied his own record again in 1934.

Percy was a national champion seven times in the high hurdles. His biggest achievement was winning a silver medal at the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He finished second in the 110-meter high hurdles race.

Coaching the Florida Gators

After his amazing running career, Percy Beard became a coach. He became the head coach for the Florida Gators track and field team. This team is part of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He coached them for a long time, from 1937 to 1964.

Under Coach Beard, the Gators track and field team did very well. They won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) outdoor track and field championship twice! They also finished as runners-up four other times.

Starting the Florida Relays

While coaching the Gators, Percy Beard started something special. In 1939, he created the Florida Relays. This event grew to become one of the top college track and field competitions in the entire country!

Percy had studied civil engineering in college. He used his knowledge to help track and field. He worked on creating special running tracks that could be used in any weather. In 1959, he showed off the first full-size all-weather track at the Florida Relays.

Percy Beard's Legacy and Honors

Percy Beard is remembered as a very important person in track and field. He was honored in many ways for his contributions.

• He was a member of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
• In 1981, he was chosen for the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
• The University of Florida named its track and field stadium after him. It's called Percy Beard Track. This happened in 1978.
• He was also added to the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976.

Percy Beard passed away in Gainesville in 1990 when he was 82 years old. He left behind his wife, Sara, and their three sons.

See also

• Florida Gators
• History of the University of Florida
• List of Auburn University people
• List of Olympic medalists in athletics (men)
• List of University of Florida Olympians
• List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
• University Athletic Association