NC State showcases a rich history of athletes, many of whom advanced to the Olympics. With the summer games around the corner, take a glimpse into the past with a few spotlights of notable athleticism.
Duncan Harrigan and Steve Gregg
Steve Gregg and Duncan Harrigan swam for NC State in the early 1970’s, both competing in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Gregg was a national champion swimmer and earned a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly. Harrigan participated in the 200-meter backstroke, coming home with a bronze medal.
Duncan Goodhew
Prior to his time at NC State, Goodhew swam for Great Britain in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal as a high school student. The iconic bald swimmer won a gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Later, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Goodhew an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his achievements.
Kay Yow
One of the most respected coaches in collegiate basketball, NC State’s Kay Yow led the U.S. women’s basketball team in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. She led the team to a 77-70 victory over the Yugoslavian team. Yow coached the team four years earlier in Los Angeles.
1987 U.S. Olympic Festival
Kay Yow also held the honor of carrying the torch in the opening ceremony of the U.S. Olympic Festival. In 1987, the festival took place in the Triangle area. Preliminary to the Olympics, it was a conglomerate of sporting events simulating the Olympics. Thousands of athletes participated, representing the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western areas of the United States. Active from 1978-95, the festival materialized as a rival to the Soviet Union’s ‘Spartakiad’ athletic event.
Steve Rerych
NC State swimming’s first Olympic gold medalist swam in the 1960s. In 1966, Rerych won the National AAU Championship in the 100-yard freestyle. From 1966-68, he consecutively held an All-American status. Rerych won two gold medals in to 400- and 800-meter relays in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Additionally, he set the former world record of winning nine ACC individual championships. In 1993, The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame recognized his achievements.
David Fox
David Fox was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in May. The freestyle swimmer holds seven ACC championships and one NCAA title. The Raleigh native brought home a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta after competing in the 4×100-meter relay.
Kenny Carr
In the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, the 6-foot-7-inch forward won a gold medalist alongside the United States men’s national basketball team. A year later, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, in which he played for 10 seasons.
Tommy Burleson
“Tall Tom” Burleson played on NC State’s men’s basketball team in the 1970s. The 7-foot-2-inch center voyaged to Germany to participate in the 1972 Olympic Games, winning a silver medal. Alongside David Thompson, Monte Towe and Tim Stoddard, Burleson won the 1974 NCAA championship, terminating UCLA’s seven-year winning streak.
Tab Ramos
In the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea, Tab Ramos represented NC State on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team. The three-time World Cup Player was inducted into The United States Soccer Hall of Fame and is currently an assistant coach on the U.S. men’s soccer team. He also holds the 1990 title of U.S. Soccer Player of the Year.
Joan Benoit
Joan Benoit arrived at NC State on a cross-country scholarship. Benoit was the first women’s Olympic marathon champion in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Cullen Jones
Cullen Jones, former NC State swimmer, participated in both the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He’s current world record holder in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
A version of this article appeared in print
Duncan Goodhew swims for the U.K. men’s swimming team in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Goodhew won the gold medal.
