Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Hall of famer, track great Oldfield passes at age 71
3/27/2017 3:27:00 PM | General
Appeared on cover of Sports Illustrated
MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee hall of famer and track all-american Brian Oldfield passed away at the age of 71 on Sunday in Elgin, Illinois, according to his web site.
Oldfield, who was inducted into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame in 2000, came to Middle Tennessee in the spring of 1964 and last competed in 1968. Oldfield, born in Elgin, Illinois, earned his degree from MT in 1971.
One of the MT track and field's first superstars, Oldfield set school records in the shot put in 1966 - 57' 7" indoors and 59' 2" outdoors. An outgoing, colorful athlete, after graduation, Oldfield was a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team and placed sixth.
In 1974, using the spin technique, Oldfield set the professional world shot put record at 75' 0," a feat that earned him fame as the first Blue Raider to make the cover of "Sports Illustrated." In 2000, he was named an honorable mention to Track and Field News' Men's All-Century Team. Oldfield went on to a career as a sports broadcaster and a college coach.
While he was the most successful and accomplished shot putter of the 1970s and early 1980s, his athleticism made him competitive at many other endeavors. They include the Highland Games, where he set and still holds multiple world and American records. He was a competitor in "The Superstars" and "The World's Strongest Man". He also dabbled in boxing and wrestling.
"Brian was the best athlete we have ever had here at Middle Tennessee," said longtime track coach Dean Hayes. "He could run, jump and make you shake your head at some of the things he could do. Brian gave our university more notoriety during that time than any other athlete. He was special."
Oldfield, who was inducted into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame in 2000, came to Middle Tennessee in the spring of 1964 and last competed in 1968. Oldfield, born in Elgin, Illinois, earned his degree from MT in 1971.
One of the MT track and field's first superstars, Oldfield set school records in the shot put in 1966 - 57' 7" indoors and 59' 2" outdoors. An outgoing, colorful athlete, after graduation, Oldfield was a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team and placed sixth.
In 1974, using the spin technique, Oldfield set the professional world shot put record at 75' 0," a feat that earned him fame as the first Blue Raider to make the cover of "Sports Illustrated." In 2000, he was named an honorable mention to Track and Field News' Men's All-Century Team. Oldfield went on to a career as a sports broadcaster and a college coach.
While he was the most successful and accomplished shot putter of the 1970s and early 1980s, his athleticism made him competitive at many other endeavors. They include the Highland Games, where he set and still holds multiple world and American records. He was a competitor in "The Superstars" and "The World's Strongest Man". He also dabbled in boxing and wrestling.
"Brian was the best athlete we have ever had here at Middle Tennessee," said longtime track coach Dean Hayes. "He could run, jump and make you shake your head at some of the things he could do. Brian gave our university more notoriety during that time than any other athlete. He was special."
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