Charles Mays

Charles "Charlie" Mays Sr. (February 3, 1941 – April 11, 2005) was an American Olympic athlete and Democratic party politician from Jersey City, New Jersey. He was an eleven-time Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) All-American, nine-time AAU champion in the long jump and six-time champion in the 440-yard dash. Mays was AAU Track and Field Athlete of the Year on three occasions, and a two-time NCAA champion in the long jump and the mile relay. He competed in the long jump at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

Mays served six years on the City Council in Jersey City and two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly.^[1]

Mays founded the Black Athletes Hall of Fame in 1973^[2] and later served as its Executive Director.^[3]

Mays was inducted to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks Hall of Fame in 1982. In 2007, Hudson County, New Jersey named the running track at Lincoln Park in his honor.^[4]

References

1. "UMES Mourns the Loss of a Hall-of-Famer, Charles Mays, Sr" (Press release). University of Maryland Eastern Shore. April 15, 2005. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
2. Grimsley, Will (June 3, 1977). "Black Hall of Fame Strives to Recognize 'the Other Guys'". The Free-Lance Star. p. 7. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
3. "Array of talent, old and new awaits Las Vegas induction". Washington Afro-American. February 25, 1975. p. 9.
4. "HUDSON COUNTY TO DEDICATE LINCOLN PARK TRACK TO THE LATE CHARLES MAYS, FATHER OF NJCU CROSS COUNTRY COACH" (Press release). New Jersey City University. October 15, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2010.