Ned Merriam

Education

Merriam attended the University of Chicago, where he starred in football and track between 1905 and 1908.

Career

He advanced to the semifinals, where he finished third in his heat to be eliminated from further competition—the only 400-meter race he ever lost. Merriam later coached track at Iowa State University, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University, DePauw University, and Yale University. He was head track coach at the University of Chicago from 1929 until his retirement in 1950.

He died of leukemia in Chicago in 1956.

Achievements

• In the 400 metres, Merriam won his preliminary heat with a time of 52.2 seconds.

Membership

He was a member of the American track and field team at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.