My first exposure to track and field came during the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico. I witnessed greatness from athletes and coaches even though I had no real comprehension of the magnitude of their feats. It was then that I decided track was going to be my future. Among those whom I saw were Renaldo the hurdler, Carl the long jumper, Willie and Joao the triple jumpers, and Juan the 400/800 runner. Also, I met a coach named Wilbur.
As a 12 year-old, I recognized that Coach Wilbur was an authority. Everyone wanted to see what he was teaching his athletes. He knew he was the best, and was not afraid to let people know it. I saw him let the Cuban coach have it in front of everyone in the stadium, for being disrespectful to his athlete, Renaldo.
He was also compassionate and willing to help others, even me, a kid with limited talent and zero experience. Later, I realized Wilbur was the first high schooler to make the U.S. Olympic team in the hurdles, a legendary coach to the stars of track and field, a believer in developing the worlds’ fastest human, and the author of The Hurdler’s Bible. My father gave me a dedicated copy of the book in 1983, which I still use for reference.
Those who know track know I was surrounded by some of the sport’s greatest athletes: Renaldo Nehemiah, Carl Lewis, Willy Banks, Joao Carlo Oliveira, Alberto Juantorena, and Coach Wilbur Ross.
Nearly 35 years later, during the North Carolina Track Cross Country Coaches Association Conference, I met the owner of World’s Fastest Human, an athletic apparel company. When this gentleman introduced himself, I asked him to repeat his name. Tony Ross. Wilbur’s son. What a small world! Tony is very proud of his family’s legacy to the sport, yet humble and cordial.
Tony’s company manufactures some of the most amazing track and field uniforms and apparel I have ever seen. I invite you to check them out at www.worldsfastesthumans.com or at https://www.facebook.com/worldsfastesthumans
And to Coach Wilbur, who passed away in 2007, your contribution to track and field shall long outlive the athletes you coached and the people you inspired.
