In June of 1973 the Commercial Appeal reported: “Allen is considered by many to be the finest all-round athlete in Southwestern history.”
The Press Scimitar went the Appeal one better: “There probably isn’t a college athlete in this land with more versatility that Southwestern’s Ralph Allen.”
Ralph grew up in Memphis and graduated from Memphis Technical High School were he was a five-sport star, a state champion in track, a starter in basketball and gifted receiver in football.
At Southwestern, this receiver was “gifted” enough to be named to the All College Athletic Conference team in 1970, and in 1972 he finished the season with 38 receptions for 619 yards.
In basketball, Coach Don Duckworth called him, “our best hustler and best defensive man. When there’s a loose ball, Ralph Allen’s there. When a rebound is needed, Ralph Allen gets it.”
But it is in track and field that Allen is the superstar. As virtually a one-man track team, his accomplishments are historic.
He set and still holds the record in decathlon with 6,572 points.
He set and still holds the record in javelin with a mark of 198 feet-ten inches.
He set and held for twelve years the record in triple jump at 45 feet-eleven inches.
In 1972 he qualified for the NCAA College division decathlon, finished fourth, and was named All American-the college’s first track and field athlete to earn this distinction.
In that same year, he was named the Outstanding College Track And Field Athlete In Memphis and Shelby County.
Southwestern’s full-time track star was also a full-time member of his college community. As a student, Ralph was a resident advisor, a member of the Black Students Association, the Social Regulations Council, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
A newspaper headline of 1971 reads: “Allen-Quick As A Lynx-Still Chasing The Sun.” In recognition of the athlete and the man who chased the sun and caught it, I am proud to induct RALPH CLINTON ALLEN into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame, inaugurated this 25th day of October, 1996.
