Howard Hoffman (athlete)

Howard Bostwick Hoffman (March 3, 1899 – February 2, 1975) was an American track and field athlete. He specialized in the javelin throw and, as a member of the Michigan Wolverines men's track and field team, he won the 1922 NCAA Championship in the event. He was posthumously inducted into the University of Michigan Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2012.

Howard Hoffman
Hoffman from team portrait of 1921 Michigan track team
Personal information
Full nameHoward Bostwick Hoffman
Born(1899-03-03)March 3, 1899
Michigan
DiedFebruary 2, 1975(1975-02-02) (aged 75)
Ludington, Michigan
Sport
SportTrack and field athletics
Event(s)Javelin throw

Early years

Hoffman was born in Michigan in 1899. His father, Harvey E. Hoffman, was a native of Michigan who was an osteopathic physician in Ludington, Michigan. His mother, Sadie Hoffman, was a native of New York.[1][2]

University of Michigan

Hoffman enrolled at the University of Michigan where he studied medicine. While attending Michigan, he was a member of the Michigan Wolverines men's track and field team from 1920 to 1922. He was the 1922 NCAA Champion in the javelin throw with a distance of 202 feet, 3 inches.[3] He was the first University of Michigan track and field athlete to win an individual NCAA championship.[4] He was also the Big Ten Conference champion in the event in both 1920 and 1921.[5][6] He was also selected as an All-American in 1923.[7] Hoffman set the Big Ten Conference record in the javelin and broke the Michigan javelin record seven times. Hoffman's seven record-breaking throws were as follows:

  • June 4, 1920 – 170 feet, 9 inches
  • June 5, 1920 – 172 feet, 10 inches
  • May 7, 1921 – 173 feet, 0-3/8 inches
  • May 21, 1921 – 182 feet, 1 inch
  • June 6, 1922 – 182 feet, 8 inches
  • June 13, 1922 – 200 feet
  • June 17, 1922 – 202 feet, 3 inches[8]

Later years

After he graduated from Michigan, Hoffman joined his father's medical practice in Ludington, Michigan.[8][9][10] During World War II, he served in the United States Army and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died in Ludington in 1975 at age 75.[11]

Hoffman was posthumously inducted into the University of Michigan Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2012.[4]

References
  1. Census entry for Harvey E. Hoffman, born June 1867 in Michigan, Sadie Hoffman, born March 1867 in New York, and Harvey Hoffman, born March 1899 in Michigan. Year: 1900; Census Place: Ludington Ward 5, Mason, Michigan; Roll: 730; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0053; FHL microfilm: 1240730. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
  2. Census entry for Harvey Hoffman, osteopathic doctor, age 52, born in Michigan, Sadie Hoffman, age 52, born in New York, and Harvey Hoffman, age 20, born in Michigan. Year: 1920; Census Place: Ludington Ward 5, Mason, Michigan; Roll: T625_783; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 94; Image: 456. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
  3. "2013 University of Michigan Men's Track & Field Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan. 2013. p. 17.
  4. "2013 University of Michigan Men's Track & Field Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan. 2013. p. 13.
  5. 2013 Michigan Record Book, p. 22.
  6. "Illinois U. Wins Conference Meet: Hoffman Sets Javelin Mark; Wolverine Athlete Hurls Spear 172 Feet, 10 Inches; Two Records Tied". The Telegraph-Herald. June 6, 1920.
  7. "Hoffman Is Named on All-American". Ludington Daily News. March 5, 1924.
  8. "Dr. Hoffman Breaks Record Seven Times in Javelin Throw: Ludington Athlete Made 200-Foot Mark in Big Ten Meet of 1922". Ludington Daily News. April 27, 1930.
  9. 1930 United States Census entry for Howard B. Hoffman, age 31, born in Michigan, employed as a medical doctor and living in Ludington, Michigan.
  10. 1940 United States Census entry for Howard B. Hoffman, age 31, born in Michigan, employed as a medical physician and living in Ludington, Michigan.
  11. "Howard Hoffman". Find A Grave. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
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