Howard Drew

Howard Drew ( Drew Howard Porter, born June 28, 1890 in Lexington, Virginia; † February 19, 1957 ) was an American sprinter.

In 1906 he was accepted as one of the few African-American students at the High School of Springfield (Massachusetts ), but his education stopped short after that because he had to contribute to the livelihood of his family. It was not until 1910 he was able to re-visit the High Scholl and soon gained in various sports.

In 1912, he won the U.S. eliminator for the Olympic Games in Stockholm over 100 m. After he had his heat in Stockholm loose in 11.0 s won, he beat in the semifinals a faster pace. He led by a wide margin, as he incurred a torn muscle in his left leg. Although he came in 11.0 s at first at the finish, but had to give up a start in the final. In the same year he became U.S. champion over 100 yards.

The war-related cancellation of the 1916 Olympic Games deprived him of the chance to make up for the mishap of 1912. After his military service during World War II, he completed his studies at Drake University and became a lawyer in Hartford (Connecticut). Later he became the first black judge of the State of Connecticut.