Former Track and Field Standout Stephanie Hightower Named to Olympic Team Staff – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
March 14, 2003
INDIANAPOLIS – Former Olympian Stephanie Hightower of Columbus, Ohio, has been named to Team USA women’s staff for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Hightower will serve as the squad’s head manager, working with women’s head coach Sue Humphrey.
Hightower currently serves as Women’s USA Track and Field. Additionally, she served as an Assistant Manager for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and head Manager for the 1999 World Championship Team in Seville, Spain.
Hightower, a 100m hurdler is a five-time (1980, 82-84, 86) 60 yards hurdles indoor champion and four-time (1980-82, 1984) 100m hurdle outdoor champion held several American and world records and was a member of 1980 Olympic Team before retiring in 1988. Her world record of 7.36 set in the 60 yard hurdle dash still holds today. As a student-athlete at the Ohio State University, she earned Big Ten Conference, Collegiate and National Championship titles and is in The Ohio State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
As Executive Assistant in the Columbus Department of Public Safety, Hightower founded Columbus’ Midnight Basketball League, a nationally recognized program for young men. She served as league commissioner, setting rules and policies, meeting with participants and securing more than $100,000 in sponsorships.
Her professional experience includes leadership roles with the Columbus Mayor’s office, the Public Safety Department, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Columbus Urban League. She is currently the Special Assistant to the President for External Relations at Columbus College of Art & Design.
Also named to the Team USA 2004 Olympic women’s coaching staff were: Jumps/multis: Craig Poole; Throws: Jeri Daniels-Elder; Middle Distances: Beth Alford-Sullivan; Distances: Julia Emmons; Head Manager: Stephanie Hightower.
