Walter Knox
Encyclopedia
Walter Knox was a Canadian track and field athlete.
Born in Listowel, Ontario, Knox moved to Orillia, Ontario
at the age of 15. In 1903, he attended Beloit College
in Wisconsin
. At the 1907 Canadian track championships, Knox won five national titles: 100 yards, pole vault, long jump, discus, and shot put. He toured the United States in 1908 and 1909 and competed in England and Scotland in 1911.
In 1912, he competed for the all-round professional championship against American John A. MacDonald, with Knox winning seven of the 10 events and the world title. He won the all-rould world title again in 1914, defeating F.R. Cramb of Scotland in Manchester
by winning six of eight events. Knox coached the Canadian track and field team at the 1912 Summer Olympics
and later became a travelling coach for the Ontario Athletic Commission and a coach at Queen's University
. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida
at age 73 after suffering a stroke. He was buried in Wellington, Ontario
.
He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1960, and the Orillia Hall of Fame in 1966.
Born in Listowel, Ontario, Knox moved to Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, pronounced ōrĭl'ēə, is a city located in Simcoe County in Southern Ontario, Canada, between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, 135 kilometres north of Toronto.Originally incorporated as a village in 1867, the history of...
at the age of 15. In 1903, he attended Beloit College
Beloit College
Beloit College is a liberal arts college in Beloit, Wisconsin, USA. It is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, and has an enrollment of roughly 1,300 undergraduate students. Beloit is the oldest continuously operated college in Wisconsin, and has the oldest building of any college...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. At the 1907 Canadian track championships, Knox won five national titles: 100 yards, pole vault, long jump, discus, and shot put. He toured the United States in 1908 and 1909 and competed in England and Scotland in 1911.
In 1912, he competed for the all-round professional championship against American John A. MacDonald, with Knox winning seven of the 10 events and the world title. He won the all-rould world title again in 1914, defeating F.R. Cramb of Scotland in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
by winning six of eight events. Knox coached the Canadian track and field team at the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
and later became a travelling coach for the Ontario Athletic Commission and a coach at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
at age 73 after suffering a stroke. He was buried in Wellington, Ontario
Wellington, Ontario
Wellington is a farming community located in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. Wellington's population is roughly 1700 people. Once called Smokeville after a local First Nations elder, the name was changed in the 1860s to Wellington....
.
He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1960, and the Orillia Hall of Fame in 1966.