Background
Dillard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, attended East Technical High School.
Dillard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, attended East Technical High School.
He returned to college in 1946 and resumed athletics, to which he had been inspired by Jesse Owens, who was also from Cleveland and had attended East Technical High School as well.
He entered Baldwin-Wallace College in 1941 and joined Pi Lambda Phi International Fraternity, and two years later was drafted into the Army serving in the all-black 92nd Infantry Division known as the Buffalo Soldiers. At the trials for the 1948 Summer Olympics, however, Dillard failed to qualify for the 110 m hurdles event, though he qualified as third (and last) for the 100 m, not his specialty. At the Games, Dillard reached the final, which seemed to end in a dead heat between Dillard and another American, Barney Ewell.
This was the first use of a photo finish at an Another 4 × 100 m relay victory yielded Dillard"s fourth Olympic title.
Dillard attempted to qualify for a third Olympics in 1956, but failed. Dillard took part in the 1953
Dillard worked for the Cleveland Indians baseball franchise in scouting and public relations capacities, and hosted a radio talk show on Cleveland"s WERE. He also worked for the Cleveland City School District for many years as its Business Manager.