Roscoe Cook facts for kids
| Personal information | |
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| Born | March 2, 1939 El Centro, California |
| Died | December 30, 2011 (aged 72) Alpharetta, Georgia |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
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Roscoe Cook, Jr. (March 2, 1939 – December 30, 2011) was an amazing athlete and a dedicated educator. He was famous for setting three world records in track and field events.
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Who Was Roscoe Cook?
Roscoe Cook was born in California in 1939. He became a superstar in track and field. He was known for his incredible speed. Later in life, he became a teacher and worked in schools for many years.
Early Life and School Sports
Roscoe Cook went to San Diego High School. There, he broke many track and field records. He was also part of the school's 1955 national championship football team. After high school, he attended the University of Oregon. He joined the Oregon Ducks track and field team.
Breaking World Records!
In 1959, Roscoe Cook achieved something incredible. At Modesto Junior College, he tied the world record for the 100 yards race. He ran it in an amazing 9.3 seconds! He even beat Olympic champions like Bobby Morrow and Ray Norton in that race.
Cook also tied the world record for the 60 yards dash. He ran it in just 6.0 seconds, not once, but twice! This happened in both 1959 and 1960.
In 1959, he won the Pacific Coast Conference championships. He was the best in both the 100 yards and 220 yards races. He was also named an All-American for his performance in the 100 yards at the NCAA Championships. In 1961, he won the 60-yard dash at a big indoor meet. He earned another All-America award that year. Besides track, Cook also played on the 1959 Oregon Ducks football team.
Life After Running
Roscoe Cook graduated from the University of Oregon. He earned a degree in physical education. He then continued his studies, getting a master's degree and a Ph.D. in education. He worked for 30 years in Los Angeles County School districts. He helped many students as an educator.
A Hall of Famer
In 2010, Roscoe Cook received a special honor. He was one of five people chosen to join the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame. This shows how important his achievements were.
His Family and Legacy
In 1982, Roscoe Cook married Christine Pugh. Roscoe Cook passed away on December 30, 2011. He was survived by his wife, Christine V. Cook. His legacy as a record-breaking athlete and dedicated educator lives on.
