Breadcrumb Navigation

print email

San José State takes great pride in its relationship with the Olympic Games. We are especially proud of the contributions and achievements of San José State students, alumni and coaches.

SJSU has been represented in the Olympics since 1928. Since then, the university has produced 18 Olympic medal winners, including seven gold medalists. We are proud of all SJSU Olympians.

SJSU has also hosted events related to the Olympics including the Titan Games in 2003 and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline, and Judo and Taekwondo in 2004. Read more.

Way to Go, Vicky!

SJSU Assistant Softball Coach Vicky Galindo is the university's newest Olympian. Growing up, she had a dream -- to play softball at the highest level.

This August, her dream will come true, as she travels to Beijing as a member of the U.S. Softball Team.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Olympics, when SJSU student-athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos took a stand for human rights. A 20-foot sculpture on campus commemorates the event. Read more.

Smith and Carlos were part of Speed City, two decades when SJSU track and field coach Bud Winters nurtured 27 Olympians. An exhibit, "Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power," is open now at San José City Hall. Read more.

ESPN and the BBC will commemorate the 1968 Olympics. Smith and Carlos will receive the 2008 Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the ESPYs, ESPN's annual awards program. Read more.

The BBC's 60-minute "Black Power Salute" combines archival footage and new interviews including, at SJSU, Smith, Carlos and Harry Edwards, an alumnus and former professor who encouraged the pair to take a stand. Read more.

SJSU Olympians

Athletes

• Kevin Asano, judo, 1988, silver medal
• Chuck Adkins, boxing, 1952, gold medal
• Bob Berland, judo, 1984, silver medal
• Vinnie Bradford, fencing, 1984
• Ed Burke, track and field, 1964, 1968
• John Carlos, track and field, 1968, bronze medal
• Jim Doehring, track and field, 1992, silver medal
• Lee Evans, track and field, 1968, two gold medals
• Jeff Fishback, track and field, 1964
• Victoria Galindo, softball, 2008
• Steve Hamann, water polo, 1980
• Mani Hernandez, soccer, 1972
• Mitch Ivey, swimming, silver medal in 1968 and bronze medal in 1972
• Margaret Jenkins, track and field, 1928
• Stacey Johnson, fencing, 1980
• Keith Nakasone, judo, 1980
• Ben Nighthorse Campbell, judo, 1964
• Ray Norton, track and field, 1960
• John Powell, track and field, bronze medals in 1976 and 1984
• Ronnie Ray Smith, track and field, 1968, gold medal
• Tommie Smith, track and field, 1968, gold medal
• Willie Steele, track and field, 1948, gold medal
• Jill Sudduth, synchronized swimming, 1996, gold medal
• Mike Swain, judo, 1980, 1984, 1992, and a bronze medal in 1988
• Lynn Vidali, swimming, silver medal in 1968 and bronze medal in 1972
• Jim Zylker, soccer, 1972

Leaders

• Ed Burke, flag bearer, 1984
• George Haines, swim coach, 1960, 1968, 1980
• Julius Menendez, boxing coach, 1960; soccer coach, 1976
• Mike Swain, judo coach, 1996
• Yosh Uchida, judo coach, 1964
• Peter Ueberroth, U.S. Olympic Committee chairman, 2004 to present; Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee president

Back to SJSU Salutes the 2008 Olympics