Flying Four Morgan State University Track Team 1951 1955

Edward “Eddie” P. Hurt, Track Coach

Edward P. Hurt, who became head track coach at Morgan State University (then known as Morgan State College) in 1929. In the early days, when the CIAA conference stood for “Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association”, Coach Hurt reportedly said, “We had a heck of a problem getting started; there is no question about that.” At that time, the small black colleges played one another and received little national attention. Hurt said, “It was hard to get recognition, especially, in track & field, and we just never had a chance to compete against the better schools. When we first started trying to improve our program, nobody knew we were alive.” Coach Hurt started developing a premier program and he built Morgan State into a national power dynasty. By 1950 Morgan State’s Track Team was drawing national and international attention due to the impressive showing at the Penn Relays. In 1950, the foursome, known as The Historic Four, of Sam LaBeach, Bob Tyler, Bill Brown and George Rhoden, broke the Class A Mile Relay Championship of America race record at the Penn Relays that stood for 56 years. Many elite track athletes, attracted by Morgan’s increasing notoriety, came to the school because of the popularity of its track team during that era. His presence was legionary, players wanted to go the extra mile, didn’t’ want to let him down. He was a father figure to the athletes. He and “Mom Hurt”, his wife G. Beatrice Hurt, took the kids into their home during non-competition times. His influence is why guys went to Morgan because coach considered the athletes his kids. You can still hear him stay “Run from there at the 100 mark”. Hurt was awarded with many honors, including in 1975 he was the first Black coach inducted to the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Flying Four Track Team

In 1951, Coach Hurt went on to recruit James Rogers, Otis "Jet" Johnson, Herman Wade and Joshua Culbreath and the Morgan baton was passed on. Sam Lacy, the late Hall of Fame sportswriter from the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper, dubbed the team ‘The Flying Four’ and the ‘The Speed Merchants’. In 1953, the ‘Flying Four’ went on to break the Central Intracollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Mile Relay mark set by their 1950 predecessors, Morgan’s Historic Four, with a new time 3:11:3. During their 4 seasons, this foursome won 13 national championships, 26 major titles and 3 records. The ‘Flying Four’ is the only team that ever won the national AAU Championship three years in a row with the same team members. This team set a new record each year in New York and won five relay titles at Penn Relays Championship of America. The ‘Flying Four’ conquered meets at Boston Garden, Madison Square Garden, Boston Athletic Association, Knights of Columbus, Melrose Games, New York Athletic Club Championship, the Baltimore Amateur Athletic games, the Philadelphia Inquirer Games and the Washington Evening Star Games.

Many believe that the ‘Flying Four’ was one of the best foursomes ever assembled in the history of the NCAA. The ‘Flying Four’ were inducted into the Morgan State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985 and they were inducted into the CIAA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. The teammates remain friends for over 60 years, speaking regularly with one another, and they get together every April for the Penn Relays Weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TEAM,

Hall of Fame induction honors

James ‘Jimmy’ Rogers

James ‘Jimmy’ Rogers, born and raised in Blankenburg, west coast Demerara, Republic of Guyana, attended high school in Georgetown, Republic of Guyana where he excelled running on a grass track. In 1949, Rogers won the 100, 200, 400 and 880 yards in the National Championship of Guyana. In the 400, he ran 49 seconds, the fastest ever in the history of that event. Rogers was put on the USA radar when he competed against the US Team members Herbert McKinney and George Guida in the Relay Carnival in Guyana. In the 400, Rogers was leading 200 yards into the race when the referee disqualified him, and the favored McKinney went on to victory. Impressed with Rogers showing, McKinney, from Jamaica running for US Team, told Rogers that he should consider running in the States. McKinney told Coach Eddie Hurt and Rogers later became the second Guyanese to be recruited to run in US. Rogers ran varsity track for Morgan State for 4 years (1951-1955) where he was the recipient of many track honors. He was a member of the “Flying Four” Mile Relay Team for 4 years (1951-1955) where he ran third leg all 4 years. Rogers, along with Jet Johnson, won the Penn Relays 4x110 Relay (third leg) three years straight in 1953, 1954 and 1955 and, the cup was then retired for that event. They also won the 4x220 Relay in 1953 at the Penn Relays. In addition, Rogers was the CIAA 440 yard Champion (1953-1955). Rogers was a member of the American team that traveled to Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland in 1953. Rogers was a member of winning relay teams in the 440 and 880 (1952-1955). Rodgers ran third leg on the National Mile Relay Indoor Team in 1954 and 1955 helping his team win national prominence. While at Morgan, Rogers became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Beta Kappa Chi honorary science fraternity. During his undergraduate years, he held the position of President of the Chemistry Club in 1955 and the International Club in 1954 and 1955. Rogers graduated with a BS degree in Chemistry, went on to Meharry Medical College, and he is now a retired physician of Urology. Dr. Rogers is an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Philly Alumni Association and is a lifetime member of Morgan’s “M” Club. Dr. Rogers is married to Dr. Brenda Rogers and they reside in the Philadelphia area. They are the parents of James Rogers, II, Mary Rogers, Dr. Marissa Rogers, Marc W. Rogers, the late Jackie Rogers, and 6 grandchildren.

Otis "Jet" Johnson

Otis "Jet" Johnson, born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1951 where he was 1951 Philadelphia City Champion in the 100 yard dash and the 220 yard dash. Johnson was Captain of both the Football and Track Teams and earned a full scholarship to Morgan State for both sports. Johnson ran varsity track for Morgan State for 4 years (1951-1955) and was a member of the varsity football team for 2 years (1951-1953). He was a member of the “Flying Four” Mile Relay Team for 4 years (1951-1955) where he ran second leg all four years. They won the Penn Relays 4x110 Relay three years straight in 1953, 1954 and 1955 and retired the cup for that event (second leg). They also won the 4x220 Relay in 1953 at the Penn Relays. Also, Johnson was a record holder of the 60-yard dash at the Indoor Baltimore Olympic Club Meet 3 years in a row and he was the 60-yard dash Champion – South Atlantic Indoors of which the record remains standing. Legionary Track Coach George Eastman, Manhattan University of New York, once said that Johnson is “the best second leg man in the history of the Mile Relay Team” of his day. Johnson graduated Morgan State with a BS in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. After college, Johnson was a member of the All-Army Track Team that toured the country. Johnson had a 39-year career with the Federal Government. Johnson is a lifetime member of Morgan’s “M” Club. In retirement, Johnson had bit parts in the HBO films ‘Boycott’ and ‘The Wire’, the box office film ‘The Sentinel’ (Michael Douglas), and the television show and movie ‘Homicide Life on the Streets’. Throughout his life, Johnson has dedicated his time to the community as a member of the Summer Aid Program. Johnson served as Coordinator working with high school students to encourage them to stay in school. Johnson is a Consultant for Willingboro, NJ’s Recreation Department and on staff at the school district for Handicapped Students. Johnson is an avid tennis player and instructor and also introduces tennis to children as young as 3 years old. He lives in Willingboro, New Jersey with his wife, Lucille, and he is the father of two daughters, Lisa Johnson Dean and Lynn Johnson Johnson.

Herman "Bitsy" Wade

Herman "Bitsy" Wade, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, graduated from South Hills High School where he was a four sport letterman. He won the City of Pittsburgh Basketball Championship as the starting guard. In track, Wade won the 400 yard run in 1949; and the high jump and the 120 high hurdles in 1950 and 1951. He was All-City elected in football. In baseball, he pitched on the high school team and prior to college he was talented enough to pitch on the old Negro Leagues’ Homestead Grays team, just as the league folded from the impact of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in the majors. In 2007, Wade was inducted into the South Hills High School Hall of Fame. Wade entered college and ran varsity track for Morgan State for 4 years (1951-1955). He was a member of the “Flying Four” Mile Relay Team for 4 years (1951-1955) where he ran leadoff leg all 4 years. Wade was CIAA Champion and won awards from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Washington Star. Wade also competed in the 220, the hurdles, and the high jump. Wade lost only one race in 3 years of national competition and earned many individual awards. He qualified for Olympic Training in 1956 but elected not to compete. While at Morgan, Wade was on the Dean’s List and became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Wade is a lifetime member of Morgan’s “M” Club. After Morgan, Wade completed his graduate work at both North Carolina State, and at Fayetteville State University. Wade retired from the United States Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after serving 20 years. During his tour of duty, Wade received 3 bronze stars, the Army commendation medal, and the Vietnamese Ranger citation. He was a Special Forces trained Airborne Ranger Instructor. In 2004, Wade authored the biography of Coach Hurt “Run from There” in tribute to the influence of the national rise of the black athlete in the 1940s and 1950s. Wade lives in Denton, Texas. He is the father of Air Force officer and commercial pilot Kevin (1957), Musician and music instructor Anthony (1960), physical therapist Rhonda (1967-2001) and the grandfather of 9 grandchildren.

Joshua Culbreath

Joshua Culbreath, born and raised in Norristown, Pennsylvania, graduated from Eisenhower Senior High School (now known as Norristown High School) where he began running the hurdles. By 1951 he was ranked second in the US in the 200 yard low hurdles and was the Pennsylvania’s state high school champion in that event. Culbreath ran varsity track for Morgan State for 4 years (1951-1955). He was a member of the “Flying Four” Mile Relay Team for 4 years (1951-1955) where he ran anchor leg all four years. He was the USA Outdoor champion in the 400m hurdles for three consecutive years 1953, 1954, and 1955. He was a three-time winner of the event in the Penn Relays during the same years. After his graduation from Morgan, Culbreath served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 – 1958 and he competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia in the 400m hurdles where he won the bronze medal. He won several military and NATO track and field medals and he set the world records in the hurdles in 1956 and 1957. Culbreath later earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from Temple University. He later became the track coach at Central State University and the athletic director at Morehouse College. Culbreath made two guest appearances on The Cosby Show, playing the character Colonel Sanford B. “Tailwind” Turner, Cliff Huxtable’s college track rival. Culbreath, served on the boards of many organizations, has been the recipient of many awards, such as Letter of Citation from the late President Eisenhower, and the mayor of his hometown proclaimed ‘Joshua Culbreath Day’ in his honor for defeating the Russians in the USA vs. USR first track meet, which was held in Philadelphia in 1959. Culbreath is a lifetime member of Morgan’s “M” Club and the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Culbreath lives in Gwyedd, Pennsylvania.