Theodore Hamilton - 1990

Born January 23, 1982 in Birmingham, Alabama, Theodore Hamilton graduated from West End High School in May 1971.  He signed a track scholarship with Jefferson State and participated in the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons.  After two years at Jefferson State, Hamilton signed a track scholarship with the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.  In 1976, he received a degree in Physical Education. 

As a high school senior, Hamilton won both the long jump and the triple jump in the Birmingham City Track Meet.  During his freshman and sophomore years at Jefferson State, he won both the long and the triple jumping events in the AJCC and the Region XVII meets. During 1972-73, Hamilton won the NJCAA meet at Columbia, Missouri, his long jump of 24’3” set a new NJCAA record.  He was named All American four times. 

During his first year at the University of Kansas in 1974, Hamilton finished second in the Big Eight Outdoor long jump.  In 1975, he won the long jump in both outdoor and indoor Big Eight meets.  He also won the NCAA long jump event at 26’71/4” and was named an NCAA All American.  Qualifying for the Olympic Trials in 1976, Hamilton finished fourth in the long jump and became an alternate for the Montreal Olympics.  After graduation, Hamilton continued to jump in national and international events until 1979.  At Fort Worth, Texas in 1979he won the long jump in a meet against the Soviet Union; He decided not to participate in the 1980 Olympic Trials because of the American boycott against the Moscow Olympics. 

From 1976 until 1983 Hamilton served as an assistant coach for the women’s track team at the University of Kansas.  Between 1983 and 1985, he was the assistant track coach for both men and women at the University of Virginia.  Hamilton served as the sprint and jump coach for the men’s track team at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville from 1985 until 1988.  In July, 1988, he returned to his alma mater, the University of Kansas, as assistant coach of the men’s track team. 

Hamilton is married to the former Cheryl Riley of Birmingham, Alabama and they have one daughter, Jaunelle.