This year, On Track looks to a living legend — Cornelius “Dutch” Warmerdam — as the field and track sportsman to whom we dedicate our annual catalog.

Although he never appeared on a box of “Wheaties,” nor scored a big money shoe contract, Dutch occupies a truly lofty position in sports history. Dutch was the first man to pole vault 15 feet, a height he cleared using a bamboo pole in 1940. He would go on to clear that same height 43 times before any other athlete would officially record a 15-foot vault. Perhaps equally astounding, it would be 15 years before Bob Gutowski broke Dutch’s 15' 7-3/4" world record, set in 1942.

In addition to his exceptional athletic career, Dutch earned his bachelors degree from Fresno State College (FSC), Calif., and his masters degree from Stanford, served in the U. S. Navy and eventually returned to his alma mater to teach and coach at FSC, where he was named head track coach in 1960. He has also coached U.S. athletes for international competitions such as the Pan American Games, and has served as director of the West Coast Relays, and as a member of the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Committee. Married since 1940, Dutch and his wife Juanita have raised five children.

As an athlete so far ahead of his time, it is plain to see why, at the first Pole Vault Summit of the new millennium, held in Reno, Nev., (see related story on this page), Dutch was not only honored as the Bamboo Pole Vaulter of the Century, he was also named the American Pole Vaulter of the Century, overall.

On Track extends our congratulations to Dutch upon being officially recognized as the supreme athlete and human being we have known him to be all along!

“My first year in high school, Coach got me a new bamboo pole that was endorsed by Dutch Warmerdam. What a thrill!” — Ron Morris From top left: Cornelius “Dutch” Warmerdam sails over the bar, nearly a full foot higher than his closest competitor; Dutch, in his coaching days at Fresno State.

---

Annual Reno Summit Pays Tribute
To A Century of Pole Vaulting

On Jan. 21 and 22, athletes, coaches and pole vaulting aficionados journeyed to Reno, Nev. — as they have every year since 1987 — to participate in North America’s premier celebration of the vault.

Dubbed the “National Pole Vault Summit 2000” this year’s event was held at the Atlantis Casino Resort and drew more than 1,000 attendees. They came out to hear noted speakers on the sport, observe vaulting’s finest practitioners and enhance their own performances through competition.

This first summit of the new millennium also presented the perfect opportunity for pole vaulters, via the North American Pole Vault Association, to honor the pioneers of their sport during a general assembly themed “Vaulters of the Century.” Among those recognized as outstanding within their vaulting eras were: Dutch Warmerdam, American Vaulter of the Century and Bamboo Pole Vaulter of the Century; Bob Richards, Metal Pole Vaulter of the Century; and Bob Seagren, Fiberglass Pole Vaulter of the Century.

The group also cited Melissa Price and Stacy Dragila for their contributions to the development of the women’s pole vault at the High School/College and Elite/International levels, respectively.