Earle Meadows (2001) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Earle Meadows

Induction:
2001
Class:
1937

Earle Meadows, perhaps the greatest pole vaulter of the bamboo pole era, twice tied with fellow USC teammate Bill Sefton for the NCAA title (in 1935 and 1936). In fact, the duo was nicknamed “The Heavenly Twins.” He lettered on 3 consecutive Trojan NCAA championship teams (1935-37). After his junior year, he won a gold medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. In 1937, he twice broke the world record, going a best of 14-11 (with Sefton) but was unable to attempt to become the first 15-foot vaulter because the bar couldn’t be raised that high. He won 3 U.S. Indoors championships (1937, 1940 and setting a world indoor best in 1941), and he and Sefton also tied for the 1935 AAU title. He was among the world’s Top 10-ranked pole vaulters for more than 10 years after leaving USC. He was enshrined in the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1996. After his competing days, he ran a musical instrument business. He died on Nov. 11, 1992, at age 79.