Evelyn Lawler
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 18, 1929 Gadsden, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 2023 (aged 93) |
| Spouse |
William McKinley Lewis
(m. 1951; died 1987) |
| Children | 4, including Cleveland, Carl, and Carol[2] |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event | 80 metres hurdles |
Evelyn Lawler (October 18, 1929 – January 4, 2023) was an American track and field athlete. She competed for the United States in the 80 metres hurdles at the 1951 Pan American Games, finishing 6th, and formerly held the American record in the 80 metres hurdles.[3]
Lawler graduated from Tuskegee University. She started in the sport as a sophomore in high school when her school picked 6 or 7 girls for a start-up track team. Lawler was not selected but watched them practice. She later asked if she could join the team, and beat all the other girls. When her school competed at a meet at Tuskegee, the coach Major Cleveland L. Abbott invited her to come to the university.
Lawler started hurdling when the previous hurdlers including 1948 Olympian Theresa Manuel had graduated and the coach suggested she take up the discipline. Her trip to the Pan Am games in Buenos Aires, Argentina was her first out of the country, the first time on a plane and first national team. By 1952, she had become one of the best three hurdlers in the world, but injuries prevented her from qualifying for the Olympics. She continued to participate in Masters athletics but eventually retired from the sport due to injuries.
Lawler was the mother of multiple Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, World Championship bronze medalist and sports announcer Carol Lewis,[4][5] and professional soccer player Cleveland Lewis.[6]
Lawler died on January 4, 2023, at the age of 93.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "William Lewis, Track Coach and Father of Olympic Star". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1987. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Going to Great Lengths". Sports Illustrated Vault | Si.com.
- ^ Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – SIAC HISTORY. Thesiac.com. Retrieved on 2013-03-26.
- ^ Carol Lewis. Sports-reference.com. Retrieved on 2013-03-26.
- ^ "Gadsden native more than just Carl Lewis' mom". 16 July 2015.
- ^ Amdur, Neil (February 12, 1981). "Jersey Siblings Rival the Best in Track and Field". New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- ^ "Obituary for Mrs. Evelyn L. Lewis". Mabrie Memorial Mortuary. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
External links
[edit]- Profile at trackfield.brinkster.net