Background
Percy Beard was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky in 1908.
track and field coach athletics competitor
Percy Beard was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky in 1908.
Auburn University.
Beard later became a nationally prominent college track and field coach at the University of Florida. He became a world-class hurdler at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama. After graduating from Auburn with a bachelor"s degree in civil engineering in 1929, he later competed for the New York Athletic Club in Amateur Athletic Union (Amateur Athletic Union) competition.
He set a world record of 14.2 seconds in the 120-yard high hurdles in 1931 and tied the record again in 1934.
Following his competition running career, Beard later became the head coach of the Florida Gators track and field of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, serving from 1937 to 1964. While he was the Gators" head coach, he founded the Florida Relays in 1939, which became one of the country"s top collegiate track and field events.
He used his Auburn civil engineering background to develop all-weather running tracks, and unveiled the first full-scale all-weather track at the 1959 Florida Relays.
Beard was a member of the United States. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1981. The University of Florida honored Beard by naming its track and field facility, Percy Beard Track, for him in 1978. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as an "honorary letter winner" in 1976. Beard died in Gainesville in 1990. He was 82 years old. He was survived by his wife Sara, and their three sons.
Beard was a member of the United States. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1981.
