Al Threadgill (1971) - Hall of Fame

Al Threadgill

Induction:
1971
Class:
1937

The greatest high jumper in Temple track history, Al Threadgill was, at the time, holder of the University record. Killed in an automobile accident in 1964, he had established a world’s high jump record when he leaped 6 feet, 7 and ¾ inches indoors, without spikes, in 1936. He broke the existing outdoor record that same year when he jumped 6 feet, 5 and ¾ inches. With sprint great Eulace Peacock, also a Hall of Fame member, Al was invited to the Olympic trials in 1936 but sprained an ankle during tryouts and missed the games in Berlin. Following his graduation from Temple, he was a teacher in the Philadelphia School System, specializing in physical education and machine shop. He worked mainly at the Daniel Boone School where he started a Youth Study Center. Threadgill was a graduate of Philadelphia’s Central High. He is survived by his mother and a brother.