There has never been a professional track and field meet at a historically Black college — until now.
That’s why the Edwin Moses Legends meet is so important, according to its namesake.
“This is a glorious day,” Moses said as spectators filled the stadium at Morehouse College. “I’ve got people who really appreciate the surface and the stadium and get to see the first professional track meet at an HBCU. I’m happy.”
The 68-year-old is a Morehouse man and one of the greatest athletes in world history.
From 1977 to 1987, Moses went undefeated in the 400-meter hurdles for 122 consecutive races. He set four world records in those years and won two Olympic Gold medals.
The first came in 1976 while studying physics at Morehouse College. But there was no track when Moses attended the Atlanta HBCU.
“I used to have to jump fences all over town,” he continued. “I was just like an orphan on the track scene… every day, for five years.”
Morehouse’s track was first laid in the early 1980s. Though it was resurfaced for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games, Moses says it “fell into disrepair” as the century turned.
In 2022, he helped bring it back to life.
“My vision was… to be able to bring people to the track who otherwise would not be here,” he reflects.
That vision is part of why the track is named after him and why it is so significant that Morehouse is the first HBCU to host a professional track meet.
“It’s gonna be transmitted live all over the world because of the nature and the importance of the meet,” Moses adds. “And the proximity to the Olympic trials.”
Moses said the track world will notice this iconic convergence of track legends, young and old.
“I’m very glad that [Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone] is here,” Moses continues. “She’s the queen of track and field. She’s the most prolific runner on the planet. Four world records. She’s gotta make her qualifying time for the hurdles tonight, which she will do.”
Moses’ prediction was dead on. In her first race back since 2022, McLaughlin-Levrone ran the fastest women’s 400-meter hurdle time in the world this year. And she did it at Morehouse College.
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