USATF Foundation Ultimate Art Auction spotlights Dave Wottle, American distance running legend

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has announced Dave Wottle will be among the distance running greats that will appear on a commissioned piece of art entitled, "Running Legends: A Signature Piece," honoring 12 of the greatest living American distance runners of all time. All proceeds from the auction will benefit USA Track & Field Foundation grant programs for emerging elite athletes and youth clubs.

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In addition to Dave, the piece created by renowned artist Roald Bradstock, includes the likenesses and original signatures of Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Billy Mills, Bill Rogers, Jim Ryun, Alberto Salazar, Steve Scott, Bob Schul, Mary Slaney, Lynn Jennings and Craig Virgin.

Interested parties may bid on ebay.com beginning Friday, June 18 at 1:30 PM EST and ending on Sunday, June 27 at 1:30 PM EST, the last day of the Outdoor National Championships in Des Moines, IA. Please insert item number “130397667863” into the search box to access the auction web page.

Additionally, 25 limited edition prints (also with original signatures) will be available for purchase for $2,500. Interested parties may contact USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic at tom.jackovic@usatf.org or (412) 398-2484 for more information.

DAVE WOTTLE BIOGRAPHY:

Date of Birth: August 7, 1950
USATF Hall of Fame Induction: 1982

Events
800 Meters (1:44.30)
1 Mile (3:53.30)

Dave Wottle's dramatic stretch run earned him an upset victory in the 800 meters and established him as one of the stars of the 1972 Olympic Games. As a student at Bowling Green State University, Wottle first came on the national scene in 1970 when he finished second in the NCAA championship mile. Injuries sidelined him in 1971 but a year later he came back and won the national collegiate 1500m and the National AAU 800m before tying the world 800 record of 1:44.3 at the Olympic Trials. He also qualified in the 1500m, but was eliminated in the semi-finals of that event. In 1973, he won the NCAA mile in 1973, then turned professional and eventually became a college track coach and academic administrator at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.

Records Held
World Record: 800 Meters - 1:44.30 (July 1, 1972)

Championships
1972 Olympics: 800 Meters (1st)
1972 AAU: 800 Meters (1st)
1970 NCAA: 1 Mile (2nd)
1972 NCAA: 1,500 Meters (1st)
1973 NCAA: 1 Mile (1st)

Education
Bowling Green State (Bowling Green, Ohio), 1973

Occupation
Academic Administrator
Coach

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

DAVE WOTTLE