Personal information | |
---|---|
National team | United States |
Born | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | November 1, 1896
Died | February 27, 1993 Orange County, California, United States | (aged 96)
Alma mater | Cornell University |
Height | 5 ft 10.5 in (179 cm) |
Weight | 172 lb (78 kg) |
Walker Breeze Smith (November 1, 1896 – February 27, 1993) was an American track and field athlete. [1] Smith attended Cornell University, where he set records in hurdling. [2] He was the IC4A Champion in 1919 in 120 yard high hurdles and 220 yard low hurdles. The year before he placed second in both events. [3]
Smith competed in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the 1920 Summer Olympics. He finished in 5th place. [4] In 1978, Smith was inducted into the Cornell University Hall of Fame. [5]
Smith is named after his maternal grandfather, lumber and art magnate T. B. Walker. [4]
When Smith was 10 years old, he had his right eye removed, and wore an artificial eye. [4] He was not allowed to play football because of the missing eye, so he took up track & field. [4] As a child, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy. [4] During World War I in 1916, Smith went to France to serve in the American Field Service. [4] Due to his missing eye, he was designated with a 4-F classification and unable to serve in the US army, so he returned to the United States in 1917. [4]
Smith married Marge Billheimer in 1922. Together they have two children, a son and a daughter. They have eight grandchildren as well as eight great-grandchildren. [6]
After retiring from athletics and worked in various jobs, including real estate and investment companies. [4]