Guide to the San Jose State College "Speed City" Collection MSS.2016.04.25

Alexandra Lynch
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
May 2017
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu


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."

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Arrangement

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.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Preferred Citation

San Jose State College "Speed City" Collection, MSS-2016-04-25, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Alexandra Lynch, May 2017.

Related Materials

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.

Scope and Contents

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.

 

Series I. Audiovisual Materials

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

This series contains audiovisual materials relating to "Speed City", including a CD-ROM with news clips of the commemoration ceremony of the Tommie Smith and John Carlos sculpture, which is located on the campus of San José State University.
Box 1, Folder 1

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Commemoration Ceremony News Clips - CD-ROM 2005

 

Series II. Ephemera

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Materials included in this series are ephemeral objects such as buttons, advertisement, and brochures.
Box 1, Folder 2

SJSC button circa 1960-1969

Box 1, Folder 3

California State Track and Field Championship program 1964

Box 1, Folder 4

San Jose State Track and Field Meet program 1967

Box 1, Folder 5

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Commemoration Ceremony pamphlet 2005

Box 1, Folder 6

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Commemoration Project donation cards 2005

Box 1, Folder 7

"So You Want to be a Sprinter" advertisement card 2010

Box 1, Folder 8

(Re)united Track and Field program 2016

Box 1, Folder 9

''Speed City" Exhibit advertisement card 2016

drawer 02-15, Folder 1

Mexico 1968 poster

 

Series III. Photographs and Negatives

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Materials in this series consist of photographic materials relating to "Speed City", inlcuding photogaphs and negatives from the Tommie Smith and John Carlos sculpture commemoration ceremony and a picture of the athletes with Muhammad Ali.
Box 1, Folder 10

Muhammad Ali circa 1960-1969

Box 1, Folder 11

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Commemoration Ceremony photographs 1 of 2 2005

Box 1, Folder 12

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Commemoration Ceremony photographs 2 of 2 2005

Box 1, Folder 13

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Commemoration Ceremony negatives 2005

Box 1, Folder 18

1968 Olympics Podium color photograph

drawer 02-15, Folder 1

1968 Olympic Podium adhesive photographs (2 copies)

Box 2

American Legacy Magazine Print (framed)

Box 2

Plaque to Office of President Commemorating 40th Anniversary of 1968 Olympians and Student Activitists

 

Series IV. Publications and Articles

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

This series contains printed material related to "Speed City" and its athletes. It includes magazines, news clippings, and news periodicals.
Box 1, Folder 14

Track and Field News 1967

Box 1, Folder 15

Sports Illustrated Magazine 1968

Box 1, Folder 16

1968 Olympic Pictorial 1968

Box 1, Folder 17

Tommie Smith and John Carlos news clippings: Commemoration Ceremony, The Spartan 1966-1972, 2003-2005

Box 2, Folder 1

Victory Journal Summer, 2017