Edwin Moses, Morehouse: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

Edwin Moses, hailed as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time, revolutionized the sport with his innovative 13-step approach and incredible record-breaking performances as a collegian, ultimately winning Olympic gold.

Initially, Moses didn’t view hurdling as his main event. However, during his junior year at Morehouse College, a Division III program, he rapidly became the nation’s fastest 400-meter hurdler, smashing collegiate records with blazing times of 48.9 and 48.8 seconds.

Though a stumble which led to a fall at the 1976 NCAA Division III Championships prevented him from claiming a collegiate title that year, Moses showcased his extraordinary talent later that summer. He clocked an all-dates collegiate best of 48.86 seconds at the AAU Championships before setting an American record of 48.30 seconds at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Moses then dominated at the Montreal Olympics, breaking his own American record twice and finally shattering the world record with a jaw-dropping 47.64 seconds, capturing the gold medal.

This incredible feat made Edwin Moses the first NCAA Division III athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal in track and field as a collegian.

In 1977, Moses seized his first national collegiate title, winning the NCAA Division III 400-meter hurdles in a record-setting 49.59 seconds—a record that still stands. Later that summer, he further demolished his world record with a stunning 47.45 seconds, defending his AAU champion title.