Bill Collins gets highest “Faces in the Crowd” honor

Bill Collins really is the poster boy of masters track. In a special issue of Sports Illustrated devoted entirely to the 50 years of “Faces in the Crowd,” Bill is among the current crop of FITC. The weekly feature has become renowned for spotlighting up and coming stars (or notable oldies). Track has been the most well-represented sport since the department debuted in 1956 — accounting for 1,980 faces in the 15,672 published. (Among the masters shown have been our Phil Raschker and M100 sprint stud Erwin Jaskulski.) In this week’s FITC, Bill is described thusly:


“Collins, 56, a conditioning coach, has been called ‘the world’s fastest man over 50.’ He was named IAAF/World Masters Athletics male athlete of the year after he won his fourth straight 100-, 200-and 400-meter titles at the USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He owns 84 masters national titles and has set 20 world records.”
In truth, he was named IAAF Best Masters Athlete for his indoor world records at the Linz world meet last March. But that’s just a quibble.
Here’s Bill in his SI glory. Way to go, champ!

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December 12, 2006

One Response

  1. Francis A Schiro - December 13, 2006

    Congratulations to Bill Collins yet AGAIN!!!Bill do you ever get tired??? I wish you great health and happiness in the coming year. For the record Ken two members of Sprint Force America have also been in Sports Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd”…Doctor Ray Blackwell..American indoor 400 record/ World outdoor 4 x 400 and World indoor 4 x 400 and World indoor 4 x200 (to mention a few of his accomplishments) and Edward Gonera..Outdoors..World record 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 (4 x200 also but never recognized)…Indoors..World Indoor 4 x 400 (40 -49) World Indoor 4 x 200 (40 – 49).. World Indoor Sprint Medley (50 – 59)(never recognized)..World 4 x 200 ..World 4 x400 (50 – 59) and both athletes several times National Champions in their individual events….good enough for Sports illustrated..i wonder if they will ever have a shot at the Masters hall of Fame where they both belong…?? I doubt it.

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