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Athlete Bio#
Age
86
Hometown
Pine Ridge, SD
Education
Haskell Indian Nations University (Lawrence, Kan.) University of Kansas
Quick Facts
- Native American of Oglala Lakota (Sioux) descent
- Grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
- Was orphaned at age 12 following both his mother’s and father’s passing
- Participated in boxing, football and track at the Haskell Indian School
- Was an All-American in cross-country at the University of Kansas in 1958 and 1959
- Won the individual title in the Big Eight Conference cross-country tournament in 1960
- Set an Olympic record in the 10,000-meters at the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, becoming the first American to win a distance race at an Olympic Games
- His 10,000 win at the Tokyo 1964 Games was voted the Upset of the Year by the Associated Press
- Honored as a warrior by the Lakota tribe and given the name “Makata Taka Hela,” meaning “respects the earth"
- Recipient of the 2022 Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast award
Olympic Experience
- 1-time Olympian; 1-time Olympic medalist (1 gold)
- Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, gold (10000m - Men), 14th (Marathon - Men)
Hall Of Fame Bio #
Billy Mills is an Olympic gold medalist and a Native American of Oglala Lakota (Sioux) descent. Mills became an orphan at the age of 12 and used running as an outlet to channel his energy into something positive. He earned a track scholarship to the University of Kansas before serving in the United States Marine Corps. Mills returned to running, making the U.S. Olympic Team in the 10,000-meters and marathon events for the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. Despite logging a qualifying time in the 10,000 that was almost a full minute slower than the favorite to win, Mills surprised fans and competitors alike by coming from behind to win the gold medal and set a world record. Mills remains the only American to ever win the gold medal in the 10,000 event. He went on to help found the non-profit organization Running Strong for American Indian Youth, which helps Native American communities with self-sufficiency programs, cultural identity projects and youth activities. Mills served as the organization’s national spokesperson, traveling to Native American communities throughout the country. President Barack Obama awarded Mills the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal for his efforts in Native American causes.
