Kate Schmidt (1993) - Hall of Fame - Long Beach State University Athletics

Kate Schmidt

Induction:
1993

Schmidt's athletic credentials are impressive: three Olympic teams (1972, '76, '80), two Olympic bronze medals in the javelin (1972, '76) and a world record in that event (227 feet, 5 inches in 1977). But to truly appreciate Kathy Schmidt, you need to know of her ``out-in-front'' approach to amateur athletics in the 1970s. Told that European coaches felt that, with their style of training, Schmidt could throw the javelin 240, 250 feet, she said: ``Under their system, they've got people who are controlling your whole life. Well, forget that. Never in my life am I going to do anything like that.'' How about her 1977 nomination for the Sullivan Award, given annually to America's best amateur athlete? ``What we get from the AAU is a handbook of things we can't do, but very little about the things we can do. If I were to accept the Sullivan Award, I would be saying that I adhere to all that nonsense. I can't do that. It would be hypocritical.'' A part of the CENTURY CLUB'S best moments in the City of Long Beach in February, 2006.