Glenn Ashby “Jeep” Davis won three Olympic gold medals as a sprinter and hurdler and was known for being one of the
track and field stars of the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, Davis became an orphan at age 15 as one of 10 children. Davis received a track scholarship to Ohio State University where he became an All-American and four-time NCAA champion. Davis won gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic Games Melbourne 1956, while also setting an Olympic record. Four years later, he won two more gold medals at the Rome 1960 Games, in the 400 hurdles and the 4x400 relay. Davis briefly played professional football as a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, then became the track coach for Cornell University upon retiring from sports. He passed away on Jan. 28, 2009 in Barberton, Ohio, due to pulmonary fibrosis.
