This fall, the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame inducted 15 new members, including men’s track & field alumni and current associate head coach, Joel Brown.
Brown’s speed as a Buckeye still holds as his career had a lasting impact on the Oho State track and field program. Brown holds the program record in the 55m hurdles (a since retired event) and the 110m hurdles. He held the 60m record for more than a decade and currently ranks third in program history.
Brown was a four-time Big Ten champion, winning the indoor 60m hurdles title in 2003 and outdoor 110m hurdles crowns in both 2003 and ’04. He was also part of the 4x400m relay championship team in 2001. In 2003, Brown earned First Team All-America honors in the 60m hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He was a three-time outdoor All-American – in the 110m hurdles in 2003 and ’04 and the 4x400m relay in 2001. He also captured the 2004 NCAA Mideast Regional title in the 110m hurdles.
Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Brown earned sponsorships from Nike and Adidas as he competed worldwide and in the Olympic Trials. He was the national champion in the 60m hurdles in 2005 and finished sixth at World Championships that same year. Brown was a member of the world record breaking shuttle hurdle relay team in 2008 at the Penn Relays. In his Olympic Trials appearances, he finished ninth in 2004, 12th in 2008 and 11th in 2012.
Brown returned to Ohio State after graduation as a volunteer coach with the program. In 2014, he earned a full-time role as an assistant coach for sprints and hurdles and has since been promoted to track and field associate head coach. Brown is a four-time USTFCCCA Great Lakes Assistant Coach of the Year and has personally coached more than 25 All-Americans and 20 school records. He has helped lead the Buckeyes to nine Big Ten team championships.
