Ralph Metcalfe

Champion sprinter and politician Ralph Harold Metcalfe was born on May 29, 1910 in Atlanta, Georgia. Metcalfe grew up in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Tilden High School in Chicago in 1930. Ralph attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a track scholarship. Metcalfe won a silver medal in the men's 100 meters and a bronze medal in the men's 200 meters at the 1932 Olympics. Ralph went on to win another silver medal in the men's 100 meters and a gold medal in the men's 4x100m relay at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Metcalfe's other notable achievements in track and field include winning the NCAA 200m three consecutive times in a row from 1932 to 1934, being the first man to break the 20-second barrier in the 220y with a record of 19.8, winning the AAU 200m in both 1935 and 1936, and equaling the record of 10.3 for the 100m six times. Ralph graduated Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in 1936 and went on to acquire a master's degree from the University of Southern California in 1939. Metcalfe taught political science and coached track at Xavier University in New Orleans, University. Moreover, Ralph served in the transportation corps in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of first lieutenant and was awarded the Legion of Merit medal. Metcalfe won the first of four elections as an alderman representing the South Side of Chicago in 1955. Ralph was elected to the U.S. Congress from the 1st District in Illinois in 1970. In addition, Metcalfe served on the Chicago city council under mayor Richard J. Daley, whom he famously clashed with. Ralph was running for reelection when he died of a heart attack at age 68 on October 10, 1978.