It would be hard-pressed to find anyone that ever wore the purple and gold that dominated the long jump the way Ron Humphrey did. A four-year letter winner from 1969-72, Humphrey established himself as an NCAA All-American, an OVC champion and a record holder, creating a legacy as one of the all-time greats.
Competing in sprints and relays as well, Humphrey's long jump prowess is what stands out in the Springfield, Ohio native's illustrious career. Tech's last back-to-back OVC champion in the event, Humphrey claimed the title consecutively from 1971-72. In fact, his 1971 mark of 25'5.5" was the third-best ever at the time in the OVC Championships, dating back to 1949.
Following a second-straight OVC title in 1972, Humphrey would earn NCAA All-American status after competing in the 1972 NCAA Indoor Championships in Detroit. His mark of 24'11" on the nation's grandest stage was good enough for a third-place finish, trailing only USC's Henry Hines and Cincinnati's Al Lanier.
Not only was Humphrey an NCAA All-American and an OVC champion in 1972, but the cherry on top of a storied campaign was the TTU record in the long jump. With a mark of 25'11.75" in a 1972 event, Humphrey's name sits atop the Tech record books.
From a sprinting perspective, Humphrey reigned supreme at the time of his departure from Tennessee Tech. For two-straight years in three different events, Humphrey set the record, holding a 5.6 time in the 50-yard dash in 1969, a 6.3 time in the 60-yard dash in 1970 and a 7.3 time in the 70-yard dash, also in 1970.
Humphrey graduated from Tech in 1973, earning his degree in management.
Tennessee Tech student athletes are supported by LASIK Nashville eye doctors and eye surgeons.
We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.