Virgil Brown (1983) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Virgil Brown

Induction:
1983
Class:
1970

1961-62
Track
‘70
One wonders if Virgil Brown’s athletic career had not been cut short, what accomplishments he would have achieved. In Brown’s case, it was short but sweet as he helped give Akron its first ever Ohio Conference track championship in 1961 and then came back one year later to help the Zips repeat the feat. Teaming with such UA Hall of Famers as Alex Adams, Climon Lee, Bill Heideman and Al Campbell, the Zips breezed through the 1961 season undefeated with a 9-0 record. In his first meet, Brown captured his two specialties, the 220- and 440-yard runs. He remained unbeaten in the 440 throughout the regular season and wound up third on the squad in scoring with 86 ½ points. The Zips journeyed to Ohio Wesleyan for the OC Championships. Brown again captured the 440, was second to Adams in the 220 and ran a leg each on the Zips’ winning 880 and mile relay team to score 11 ½ of UA’s 58 winning points. A week later, at the All-Ohio Brown finally lost in the 440, but established a new school record of 48.9 in the process. Earlier he had ran legs on UA’s record-setting 880 and mile relay teams. The Zips went undefeated (8-0) again in 1962 as Brown scored 94-3/8 points. It was during this season that Brown breezed to a 220 time of 20.8, one tenth of a second off the record set by Les Carney, Ohio University’s medal winner in the 1960 Olympics. Brown’s record is still the UA standard to beat in 1984. Brown got thirds each in the 220 and 440 and was on the second place 880 relay team to help UA compile 47-5/6 points and capture the 1962 OC title. However, it’s difficult to forget the thrilling, flashing speed of Virgil as he split the tape in the 440-yard run at 48.6, breaking his own UA mark, to take the only first day at the All-Ohio Championships one week later. It was the last hurrah of Brown’s career as he dropped out of school and joined the US armed services. Later, he returned to school and eventually received his degree in 1970. He is presently employed at Goodyear in Akron.