Charles R. Young (1990) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Charles R. Young

Induction:
1990
Class:
1967

1962-66
Track and Field/Cross Country
‘67

Almost unbeatable can best describe The University of Akron cross country and track teams of 1962 through 1966. One of the big reasons why this was so, was due to the performance of Charles R. Young, better known as “Chuck”. In 1962, Chuck came out of Akron Kenmore High School and along with fellow freshman, George Wetherbee, a 1981 Hall of Fame inductee, joined Junior Campbell, a 1980 Hall of Fame honoree, to lead UA to the first of three Ohio Conference (OC) Championships captured over four years. Young finished sixth individually in the race. As a sophomore Young finished third as UA chalked up its second OC crown and the first of three straight All-Ohio College Divisions Championships. Under the direction of Al Hall, UA went on to finish second to Kansas State in the NCAA College Division National Championships—the Zips’ highest finish ever in the history of the sport (since 1935) on campus. A virus-infected Young finished 13th in the 1964 OC meet as UA finished second; however, he regained his form as a senior to finish fourth which helped give UA another OC title. IN the NCAA National met, UA finished 10th as Young gained to gain All-American status by three places while finishing 18th. UA compiled a 9-0 mark in 1965, its only undefeated season in the sport. It gave the Zip cross country team a most enviable four-year record of 32 wins out of 35 meets. While a member of the UA track team, Young was not as successful on an individual basis, but still contributed considerably as the Zips won 31 of 34 meets and captured OC Championships in 1963, ’65 and ’66. After graduation, Young served four years in the US. Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain. He was the USAF European 5,000 meter and 3,000-meter steeplechase champion two straight years. He earned an engineering degree from Central Florida and has been employed by the Naval Training Systems Center in Florida since 1981. Young, who still runs, was the Orlando Grand Prix Series Age Group Champion in 1985. He and his wife, Susan, have three children, Jessica, Allison, and Jack. The Young's reside in Winter Springs.