John Campbell
Track Coach
Inducted: June 28, 1989
Seventh Annual Induction Ceremony
Wesley Chapel, Florida
(The following appeared in that year’s induction program)
When it comes to success as a high school track coach, John Campbell may have no peers. Certainly not in the state of Indiana, where his Gary Roosevelt High School teams have won eight consecutive state championships.
Campbell's squad shoots for its ninth straight title this spring, which would tie the school for fifth on the all-time list in consecutive state titles. In his 21 years at Roosevelt High, Campbell's track teams have won 11 state championships.
In addition to the 11 state titles, Campbell's teams have won about 300 dual meets since 1969.
Campbell has been honored as Indiana track coach of the year 10 times and was national track coach of the year for District 2 in 1972 and District 4 in 1985.
In addition to his duties as track coach, Campbell is a physical education teacher. He also has served as wrestling and basketball coach at various times, as well as cross country coach.
Campbell has served as chairman of the track and field division of the Indiana Track and Cross Country Coaches Association. He is a member of the National Track and Cross Country Association and vice-president of the Gary Coaches Association.
A 1949 graduate of Finley High School in Chester, South Carolina, Campbell earned his undergraduate degree from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, and his master's in 1956.
In recognition of his classroom teaching skills, Campbell was selected Inland Steel Company teacher of the year in 1984. The city of Gary honored Campbell by naming its new multimillion-dollar sports complex the Hudson-Campbell Center. The 100th Congress of the United States saluted Campbell on April 20, and that event was made part of the Congressional Record.
Campbell was born January 27, 1931, in Chester, South Carolina, and currently resides in Gary, Indiana.
