Niagara Hall of Fame
Anderson, Hall, Pfitzinger, Tuttle and Warner Inducted
Published Feb 24, 2003 in The Post-Standard.By Dr Kamal Jabbour, Contributing Writer
The Niagara Association of USA Track and Field, which includes Central and Western New York, announced the selection of four athletes and one coach for induction in Niagara Track and Field Hall of Fame. The Class of 2002 consists of John Franklin Anderson (Cornell University), Albert Hall (Cornell University), Peter Pfitzinger (Pittsford HS and Cornell University), John Tuttle (Alfred-Almond HS) and John "Jack" Warner, Sr. (Cornell University).
Anderson was born in 1907, graduated from Cornell University in 1929, and won the Gold Medal in the discus throw at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also competed in the 1928 Olympics, and won US championships in 1932 and 1933. Anderson died in 1948.
Hall was born in 1934, graduated from Cornell University in 1956, and competed in the hammer throw at the 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. He won two US championships in the hammer throw and four US indoor championships in the 35-lb weight throw. He lives currently lives in Charlton City, MA.
Pfitzinger was born in 1957, graduated from Cornell University in 1979, and was the first US finisher in the marathon at both the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. He won the 1984 US Olympic marathon trials with a personal record of 2 hours 11 minutes 43 seconds. He also set the American record at 20 miles in 1981 with a time of 1:40:14. Pfitzinger currently lives in Aukland, New Zealand.
Tuttle was born in 1958 in Hornell, NY, and graduated from Alfred-Almond High School in 1976 and Auburn University in 1980. He qualified five times for the Olympic Marathon trials, and represented the US at the 1984 Olympic Games. Competing at the Masters level, Tuttle recently set US masters records of 14:19 at 5K, 23:25 at 8K, 29:26 at 10K, and 36:12 at 12K. His 12K mark was also ratified as a masters world record. Tuttle currently lives near Atlanta, GA.
Warner was born in 1929 in Rome, NY, and ran for Syracuse University 1947-51. He was voted the most valuable player for the 1949 National AAU Championship cross country team, and captain of the 1950 Syracuse University cross country team. He joined the US Marine Corps after graduation, and became All-Marine Coach in 1954. He coached at Colgate University 1956-67 and Cornell University 1967-1990. At Cornell, he coached five Olympians (including Pfitzinger), 24 NCAA All-Americans and 91 Heptagonal champions. Far from retired, he lives in Geneva where he coaches the William Smith cross country team.
The induction ceremony and awards luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2003 at the RIT Inn and Conference Center in Rochester.
Kamal Jabbour runs and writes on the hills of Pompey, New York. His RUNNING Column appears in The Post-Standard on Mondays. Dr.J. created TrackMeets.com, webcasting live Every Lap of Every Race. He receives email at jabbour@i2sports.com.