Breaking Records and Barriers: The Legacy of William DeHart Hubbard

In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate William DeHart Hubbard, a true Cincinnati legend whose story inspires both on and off the track. Born in 1903, Hubbard grew up in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati and attended Walnut Hills High School, where he quickly distinguished himself both athletically and academically. At WHHS, he excelled in football and track, showcasing the talent and determination that would define his life.

A businessman and University of Michigan alumnus recognized Hubbard’s talents and wanted to recruit him at the university. He arranged an unusual plan: the Cincinnati Enquirer was running a subscription contest in which the ten high school students who signed up the most subscribers would each receive a $3,000 scholarship. Hubbard was one of the winners and enrolled at Michigan in September 1921. There, he became the only Black American on the school’s track team and the first Black American varsity track letterman at the university, earning numerous accolades as a Wolverine.

Hubbard’s athletic prowess was undeniable. Qualifying for the 1924 Paris Summer Olympic Games, he wrote a letter to his mother as the team awaited departure on the S.S. America:

"The boat leaves in about an hour. Tell Papa I got his letter, but have been busy traveling etc., and have not had the time to answer. Tell him I’m going to do my best to be the FIRST COLORED OLYMPIC CHAMPION."

And indeed he was. William DeHart Hubbard became the first Black person to win a Olympic gold medal in an individual event, soaring to victory in the long jump. But Hubbard’s story didn’t end in Paris. In June 1925, he set a world record in the long jump in Chicago with an astonishing leap of 25 feet 10 7⁄8 inches. A year later, he equaled the world record of 9.6 seconds for the 100-yard dash right here in Cincinnati.

Hubbard’s achievements were groundbreaking not just for sports, but for history. Today, we celebrate William DeHart Hubbard and the lasting impact he left on athletes, communities, and the city he called home. In honoring his legacy this Black History Month, we are reminded that greatness often starts close to home.