John Thomas, Boston University: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

John Thomas, a high-jumping prodigy, made history as the youngest-ever male high jumper to set a world record at just 17 years old. As a freshman at Boston University in 1959, Thomas cleared 6-11⅛ (2.11m) indoors, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career.

During his first two years in college, Thomas broke or tied the world record an impressive 15 times. One of his most notable records occurred at the 1959 Millrose Games, where he achieved the first-ever indoor 7-foot (2.13m) clearance. This accomplishment was later recognized by meet director Howard Schmertz as his number one “Most Memorable Millrose Moment” during the celebration of the meet’s 100th edition in 2007.

Thomas continued to push the limits, concluding the 1959 winter season with a 7-1¼ (2.16m) win at the AAU Indoor Championships – a height surpassing the outdoor world record at the time (2.16m/7-1). As a sophomore in 1960, Thomas added four more entries to the indoor world record book, defending his Millrose and AAU titles and raising the indoor world record to 7-2½ (2.19m).

During his first collegiate outdoor season, Thomas set his first outdoor world record, clearing 7-1½ (2.17m) to win the Penn Relays. He also achieved the first 7-foot clearance at the NCAA Championships, earning the first of his two titles. His final world record, 7-3⅞ (2.22m), was set during his career at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Thomas also earned a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics while a collegian, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of high jumping.