Dave Wottle

David Wottle, a former Olympic Gold Medalist, clinched the 1972 Olympic 800 meter title with a dramatic come-from-behind finish that remains one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history. He also became the third fastest miler of all time, recording a milestone time of 3 minutes, 53.3 seconds at the 1973 Hayward Field Restoration Meet against Steve Prefontaine. Known for his signature golf cap and strong closing kick, he tied the world record in the 800 meters at the 1972 Olympic Trials with a time of 1 minute, 44.3 seconds.

Wottle's achievements on the track include numerous titles: he was the 1972 NCAA 1500m champion, the 1973 NCAA Mile champion both indoor (4:03.4) and outdoor (3:57.1, setting the still-standing NCAA record), and a seven-time national champion. His performance at Bowling Green State University was particularly noteworthy, where he broke the four-minute mile 18 times and earned All-American honors eight times. His first sub-4 minute Mile on June 6, 1970, timed at 3:59.0, was a precursor to his illustrious Olympic and collegiate accomplishments.

In recognition of his contributions to sport and leadership, Wottle was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1980, and he has also been awarded the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award. Beyond his athletic career, Wottle has excelled academically, being an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar and inducted into the national leadership honorary Omicron Delta Kappa in college. After retiring from sporting competition, he served as the long-time Dean of Admissions at Rhodes College in Memphis until his retirement in June 2012. Today, Wottle continues to inspire audiences as a speaker, focusing on themes of hard work, goal setting, and maintaining a "Winning Attitude" in both personal and professional realms.