Ben Ogden (1974) - Hall of Fame

Ben Ogden

Induction:
1974
Class:
1930

Coach of the Temple track team for 30 years, Ben Ogden produced some of the University’s finest athletes. His biggest thrill came in 1935 when Eulace Peacock and Al Threadgill, previous inductees in Temple’s Hall of Fame, won major events at the National AAU Meet with Peacock defeating the legendary Jesse Owens. A nationally-known track figure, he invented and patented three track and field devices—starting gate for sprinters, automatic foul indicator for jumpers and a pole vault net. Born in South Philadelphia, he earned his undergraduate degree from Penn and his Master’s degree in Education from Temple in 1930. He competed in track and gymnastics at Penn. He was associated with the Philadelphia School System for 38 years as a teacher, coach and Chairman of the Interleague Commission. He died in 1958 and is survived by a daughter and son.