MIKE GOODRICH

Track and Field

Born: May 17, 1948; St. Louis, Missouri
Events: Sprints
Personal Bests: Indoor; 60yd-6.0, 70yd-6.9 (1968), 300yd -30.1(1975)
Outdoor; 100yd-9.2, 220yd-20.6 (1969)

In 1967 during his senior year at East Louis Senior High school, Mike Goodrich rose to national prominence competing in indoor track meet held at the old St. Louis Armory. Mike ran a time of 6.1 seconds in the 60-yard dash, a time that was just two tenths of a second off the existing world record of 5.9 seconds.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch track and field writer Dave Dorr noted, ” What makes the performance all the more remarkable is the fact it was accomplished without the aid of spikes or starting blocks, only tennis shoes on the somewhat slippery armory floor.” His time still ranks as the best time ever by an Illinois prep for that event.

During the 1967 outdoor track season, Mike became the first and the only  sprinter  from  East St. Louis  to win the 100-yard dash and the 220-yard dash at the Illinois  State Track and Field Championships. His time of 20.9 seconds in the 220-yard dash broke the oldest state record of thirty-one years. The time ranks second as the top all-time performance in that event.

He was the East St. Louis Senior High school record holder in the 60-yard dash (6.1 seconds), 100-yard dash (9.5 seconds), 220-yard dash (20.9 seconds), and the 440-yard dash (49.9 seconds). All the outdoor marks were run on a cinder track.

As a freshman at Indiana University during the 1968 indoor track season, Mike posted times of 6.0 seconds flat twice in the 60-yard dash. Those times were one-tenth of a second off the existing world record time of 5.9 seconds. He finish his freshman indoor track debut by beating the world recorder holder of the 70-yard dash in a time of 6.9 seconds. The time was one- tenth of a second off the existing world record of 6.8 seconds. Those times and performances were instrumental with Mike being named the “fastest of the new crop of freshmen indoor sprinters” by Track and Field News magazine.

Mike Goodrich finished his track career at Indiana University holding the indoor record in the 60-yard dash and the 300-yard dash. His time of 30.2 in the 300-yard dash was also a Big Ten Conference record.

Mike ran a record setting time of 9.2 seconds in the 100-yard dash which was one-tenth off of the existing world record of 9.1 seconds. His time broke the thirty-four year old Big Ten Conference record of 9.4 seconds held by the legendary Jesse Owens of Ohio State University.

Mike Goodrich also held the Big Ten Conference record in the 220-yard dash of 20.6 seconds (turn). He was the lead off runner on the 440-yard relay team that won Big Ten titles in 1969, 1970, and 1971. Their best time of 39.9 seconds established a Big Ten record. The 880-yard relay team posted a time of 1:22.7 seconds which ranked second in the world in 1971. That time still ranks as the best time ever in the Big Ten Conference.

In Big Ten Championships, Mike earned sixteen medals; eight gold, six silver, and one bronze. He also had a fifth-place finish. In  NCAA  Championships, he finished third three times and fourth two times. This earned him the status of All-American five times during  his collegiate years at Indiana University.

He was named co-captain in 1971 and was the recipient of the Billy Hayes track award and the LG Balfour award . Mike advanced to the quarter finals of the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 meters while competing for the University of Chicago Track Club. This ended a brilliant track career for a native of East St. Louis and an Ex-Flyer.

On October 4, 2013 Mike Goodrich was inducted into Indiana University Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mike Goodrich now lives in the Belleville, with his wife Deborah of fifty years. They enjoyed the pleasure of raising three daughters. They are also the proud grandparents of five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mike retired from East St. Louis School District #189 after thirty-three years of service. He served in the capacity as a physical education teacher, a counselor, assistant  principal, and principal. He also coached and  officiated various  sports.

In August of 2022 he ended five years of part-time employment with the Brooklyn Unit School District #188 as Director of Student Support  Services. I thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me. He has truly blessed me in all of my endeavors.    Michael L Goodrich