Name Dave Albritton Succeeded by Ed Orlett Party Republican Party | Education Ohio State University Role Olympic athlete | |
 | ||
Died May 14, 1994, Dayton, Ohio, United States Olympic medals Athletics at the 1936 Summer Olympics – Men's high jump | ||
David Donald Albritton (April 13, 1913 – May 14, 1994) had a long career that spanned three decades and numerous titles and was one of the first high jumpers to use the straddle technique. He was born in Danville, Alabama.
Albritton had a number of similarities with all-time great Jesse Owens. Both were born in Alabama, Albritton in Danville and Owens in nearby Oakville; both attended East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio; both attended the Ohio State University and were coached by Larry Snyder; both were members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; both competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
As a sophomore at Ohio State, Albritton won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1936.
In 1936, Albritton and Cornelius Johnson both cleared 6 ft 9 3⁄4 in (2.07 m) to set a world record at the Olympic Trials, becoming the first blacks to hold the world record in the event. Albritton was second to Johnson at the 1936 Summer Olympics, with a height of 6 ft 6 3⁄4 in (2.00 m). He claimed the silver medal in a jump-off after he and two other jumpers cleared the same height.
Albritton and Johnson were snubbed by Hitler when they went to collect their medals.
Albritton won or tied for seven National Amateur Athletic Union outdoor titles from 1936 to 1950. He was AAU outdoor champion in 1937, 1946, and 1947 and tied for three national collegiate titles, in 1938, 1945, and 1950.
Albritton later became a high school teacher and coach. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives for six terms. In 1980, he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame. A historic marker honoring Albritton was unveiled on July 12, 2013 Danville, Alabama.