In 1979 Mike Cody wrote, “In the last 25 years, I have really never stopped running…” Today, make that 45 years that he’s really never stopped.
Mike grew up in Memphis and attended East High School where he was a track standout. In 1954 he enrolled at Southwestern and began what was to be a remarkable college career in the classroom, on campus and on the track.
A political science major, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, named Omicron Delta Kappa’s outstanding sophomore, was elected commissioner of athletics, president of the student body, “Mr. Southwestern” and named to the student Hall of Fame. It may be noted that the king of the College’s April Fool Carnival went on to become the attorney general for the state of Tennessee.
Widely known for his prowess on the track, Mike established at Southwestern in 1957 the record for the 880 yard run (1 minute and 58.7 seconds). That same year he established the record for the mile (4 minutes and 26 seconds.)
In May of 1957 the Commercial Appeal reported: “The Iron Man label could well be pinned on Mike Cody, Southwestern trackman and it wouldn’t be misplaced. Cody proved that right handily when he won all four events he entered to pace the Lynx to a 72-59 victory over Austin Peay College at Clarksville, TN. It was the greatest day of Cody’s fine collegiate career.”
In recognition of a champion who never stops running, Rhodes is honored to induct one of the all-time greats in track and field, WALTER JAMES “MIKE” CODY, into the Athletic Hall of Fame this 23rd day of October, 1998.
