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San Jose State College "Speed City" Collection
MSS.2016.04.25
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San Jose State College "Speed City" Collection
source:
San José State University.
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2016.04.25
Physical Description:
2 boxes
(2.38 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1964-2017
Abstract: This collection contains materials related to San Jose State College track and field events, athletes, and coaches during
the era known as "Speed City."
This collection is open for research.
Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
This collection is arranged in four series based on material format: Series I. Audiovisual Materials; Series II. Ephemera;
Series III. Photographs and Negatives; Series IV. Publications and Articles.
San Jose State College and San José State University earned the name "Speed City" in the years 1956-1979. The nickname was
given to the school because of the outstanding athletes in the men's track and field program. Coached by Bud Winter, the program
produced 43 world records and 49 American records. Its most prominent athletes were Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who represented
the United States at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. In the 200 meter final, Smith won gold and Carlos won bronze;
it was there on the podium they both raised their gloved fists in support of the black power movement, creating a lasting
image that still resonates today. The men's track and field program was eventually disbanded in 1988 because of budget problems.
It was announced in 2016 that men's track and field at San José State University will be restored in 2018, marking 50 years
since the 1968 Summer Olympics.
San Jose State College "Speed City" Collection, MSS-2016-04-25, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Collection processed by Alexandra Lynch, May 2017.
Dr. Harry Edwards Collection: Sport, Society, and Social Change. MSS-2016-03-19.
San Jose State University Spartan Sports Collection. MSS-2010-08-08.
San Jose State University Civil Rights and Campus Protest Collection. MSS-2010-07-07.
San José State University Office of the President, Robert D. Clark Records. MSS-2009-08-03.
Materials in this collection document the track and field era at San Jose State College that was known as "Speed City." It
includes photographs, articles, competition programs, and posters about events, athletes, coaches, and issues surrounding
civil rights and black athletes. These materials are from popular publications such as Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine,
and are not official records of the track and field program at San Jose State College.
The San Jose State College "Speed City" collection consists of various materials relating to the men's track and field program
between the years 1964-2017, including materials about SJSC student athletes who competed and placed as medalists in the 1968
Mexico City Olympics.
Notable publications include a 1968 Sports Illustrated magazine with Tommie Smith on the cover, and a pictorial of the 1968
Summer Olympics in Mexico City where Tommie Smith and John Carlos competed.
This collection also contains ephemeral items such as a San Jose State College button, track and field programs from the 1960s,
an advertising card for the revised edition of Bud Winter's book, and materials relating to the 2016 "Speed City" exhibit
at San José State University.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Jose State College -- Sports
San Jose State College -- Track and field
San José State University.