Unveiling a New Plaque to Honor Jesse Owens’ Historic Record-Breaking Performance at Ferry Field in Ann Arbor

A plaque honoring Jesse Owens, the legendary track and field athlete, has been removed from Ferry Field in Ann Arbor. This historic field, which was once used for University of Michigan track events, was the site where Owens famously broke four world records in less than 45 minutes. The original plaque, dedicated in 1985, stood at the southeast corner of Ferry Field and recognized Owens’ incredible achievements.

However, a new plaque will soon take its place on the site. The International Athletics Foundation, an organization that seeks to preserve and honor significant moments in track and field history, will unveil a new World Athletics Heritage Plaque on May 9 at 10 a.m. at Ferry Field. This event will occur one day before the 2024 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Owens’ record-breaking feats took place during the conference championships on May 25, 1935 when he was a competing athlete for Ohio State University. Despite battling injuries, Owens managed to match and break world records in the 100-yard dash, long jump, 220-yard dash, and 220-yard low hurdles at the event. A year later, Owens went on to win four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin Germany with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in attendance.

The new plaque will further honor Owens’ remarkable accomplishments and continue to recognize his historic achievements at Ferry Field. There is hope that members of Owens’ family will be present at the unveiling ceremony on May 9th to celebrate this special occasion with fans of all ages who have come to witness this momentous occasion