Wilbur Gordon BURROUGHS

Wilbur Burroughs competed for the University of Illinois and the Chicago AA. In addition to his weight-throwing performances at the 1908 Olympics, he competed on the tug-of-war team. At the 1908 Central Olympic Trials, he placed second in the shot put, and won the discus throw.

Burroughs did graduate study in engineering at the University of Illinois and started the Triangle Engineering fraternity at the school. He became a coach / teacher / principal in the Detroit school system for over 30 years, and during that time also refereed high school and college sports, including Big 10 sports. Burroughs and his wife returned to Edwardsville, Illinois later in life, but unfortunately shortly thereafter both were killed in the same car accident.

Personal Bests: SP – 13.37 (43-10½) (1908); DT – 40.36 (132-5) (1908); HT – 45.79 (150-3) (1908).