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Jumbo Elliott

1915 – 1981

American track and field coach

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About Jumbo Elliott

Lived 1915 – 1981 (aged 65). Jumbo Elliott was an American coach.

James F. "Jumbo" Elliott (August 8, 1915 – March 22, 1981) was an American track and field coach, often considered to be one of the greatest of all time. His achievements include producing five Olympic gold medal winners between 1956 and 1968.

Elliott, a college track runner of short and middle distances, graduated from Villanova University in 1935 and returned to coach the track team in 1949 until his death in 1981. In that period, his teams won eight national collegiate team titles, while his athletes won 82 NCAA crowns and set 66 world records. He produced a total of 28 Olympic competitors, five of whom won gold medals: Ron Delany (1956, 1500 m), Charles Jenkins (1956, 400 m), Don Bragg (1960, pole vault), Paul Drayton (1964, 4 × 100 m relay), and Larry James (1968, 4 × 400 m relay). He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1981. Elliot had a stammer. He died in 1981, and is buried in the Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Villanova University

People in Jumbo Elliott's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jumbo Elliott's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jumbo Elliott?

American track and field coach (1915–1981)

When was Jumbo Elliott born?

Jumbo Elliott was born on 8 August 1915 in Philadelphia.

When did Jumbo Elliott die?

Jumbo Elliott died on 22 March 1981.

What was Jumbo Elliott's occupation?

Jumbo Elliott was a coach.

What nationality was Jumbo Elliott?

Jumbo Elliott was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jumbo Elliott

· Wikidata: Q427895

· DBpedia: Jumbo Elliott (coach)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jumbo Elliott. https://biography.guide/jumbo-elliott-coach/

MLA: "Jumbo Elliott." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jumbo-elliott-coach/.

Chicago: "Jumbo Elliott." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jumbo-elliott-coach/.

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