Michael Carter, SMU: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

Michael Carter, a dual-sport athlete at Southern Methodist University (SMU), excelled in both track & field and football. As an All-American in football and winner of seven NCAA Division I shot put titles, he established the record for the most titles in a single discipline, both indoors and outdoors.

Carter claimed the NCAA Indoor Championships shot put titles in 1980 and 1981, setting meet records along the way. In his sophomore year, he also finished as runner-up in the NCAA Outdoor Championships discus competition. 

His sole defeat in the shot put at an NCAA championship came in 1984, in a memorable face-off against UCLA’s John Brenner at the outdoor championships. Despite a last-round personal record of 21.76m (71-4¾), Carter fell short by just 16cm (5-¼“), narrowly missing out on his eighth NCAA crown.

In his senior year at SMU, Carter went on to secure an Olympic silver medal. Beyond his track and field accomplishments, he was an All-American nose tackle on two top-ranked SMU football teams, later enjoying an All-Pro NFL career and winning three Super Bowl rings.

Carter’s legacy continued with his daughters, Michelle and D’Andra, both becoming NCAA champions in their respective events. Michelle, a competitor for the University of Texas, made history in 2016 as the first American woman to win Olympic gold in shot put.