Ohio State Mourns the Loss of Mamie Rallins
5/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
May 17, 2016
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Ohio State women’s track and field head coach Mamie Rallins passed away Monday after a car accident in Fremont, Ohio. She was 74.
Rallins, a two-time Olympic hurdler, helped start the women’s track and field and cross country programs at Ohio State when she became head women’s coach in 1976. The first African-American woman to ever coach at Ohio State, she coached 60 Big Ten indoor/outdoor champions, 24 All Americans, nine Olympic trial qualifiers and one Olympian during an 18-year career. She also served as assistant athletic director for three years.
A resident of Port Clinton, Ohio, Rallins remained active with the Ohio State track and field team up until her death. A volunteer coach and team statistician, Rallins had just returned with the team from the Big Ten outdoor championships.
“The Ohio State track & field and cross country family is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend, Mamie Rallins,” Karen Dennis, director of track & field and cross country, said. “As the first African-American woman to coach at The Ohio State University, Mamie was a trailblazer and a champion for all things Ohio State. She was our biggest supporter – mentor, coach, cheerleader, statistician and team grandma. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, current and former student-athletes. A two-time Olympian, Division I track and field coach, athletic administrator and 2000 Olympic team manager, she has touched the lives of countless individuals in the world of track and field. She will be greatly missed.”
“Mamie Rallins was an esteemed member of the Ohio State community and a pioneer in the sport of track and field,” Gene Smith, Ohio State senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation endowed athletics director, said. “We are deeply saddened by her passing. Our track and field and cross country programs would not enjoy the success they do today without her dedication, support and hard work over 18 years as women’s head coach and many more as a mentor, friend and volunteer. She will be greatly missed by Buckeyes everywhere.”
Rallins also coached elite athletes during her career, serving as the head coach of the U.S. indoor world championship team in 1987 and assistant coach of the USA Olympic team in 1996. She was the Olympic head manager for the USA women’s track and field team at the 2000 Sydney Games.
