Charlie Greene, Nebraska: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2022

Charlie Greene, Nebraska: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2022

Charlie Greene had speed to burn, and when a sprint championship race lined up with him in it, a spectacle was about to unfold with records always in danger.

Greene claimed the first three 60-yard dash titles at the NCAA Indoor Championships, setting or tying the meet record each time. He followed in June each year (1965-67) with the NCAA Outdoor 100-yard crown – giving him a perfect record of six wins in six NCAA championship races. His final NCAA meet included a WR-tying time of 9.1 in the heats.

Greene was also known for running in dark glasses – even when competing at night or indoors. In the days when “warp speed” was gaining traction from Star Trek’s popularity, Greene became famous for his explanation: “they’re not sunglasses, they’re my re-entry shields.”