Calhoun’s collegiate career was also outstanding. Representing North Carolina Central University, he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 120 yard hurdles finals in 1956 and 1957 and the 110 meters in 1956.

He was also a three-time NCAA All-American (1956, 1957, and 1959).

Calhoun was a two-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Champion (1956, 1957) in the high hurdles.

While at North Carolina Central College, Calhoun’s coach was U.S.A. Track & Field Hall of Fame Coach Leroy Walker.

He was a U.S. National Outdoor 110 Meter Hurdles Champion three times (1956, 1957, and 1959):

Calhoun also won the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Championships in the 110 meter hurdles in 1956 and 1959 and in 120 yard hurdles in 1957.

     He twice won the high hurdles event at the prestigious Penn Relays (1956, 1957), while also setting a meet record with a time of 13.7 seconds in the 120-yard high hurdles in 1958.

Going into the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, Calhoun personal best in the 110 meter hurdles was 14.4 seconds. He surprisingly improved his personal best by almost a full second in a final. He ran 13.5 seconds to win the Gold Medal. Calhoun got a faster start than his closest rival, American Jack Davis, and with his shoulder lunged across the finish line only inches ahead of Davis. The two shared an Olympic record of 13.5 seconds, despite running into an adverse wind. However, the unofficial automatic timer showed that Calhoun finished 0.03 second ahead of Davis. Ironically, it is reported that he had learned the maneuver from Davis. His time of 13.5 seconds was an Olympic record.

He seemed to be past his prime for the 1960 Summer Olympics. But shortly before the Rome Olympics, he tied Martin Lauer’s world record of 13.2 seconds in the 110 meter hurdle in Bern, Switzerland. He went to the 1960 Olympic Games as a main favorite. In Rome, he won the 110 meter hurdles event. He and American teammate Willie May were officially clocked at 13.8 seconds, and the automatic timer showed Calhoun winning by only 0.01 second.

After retiring from track competition, Calhoun became a college track coach, first at Grambling State University, then at Yale University, and finally at Western Illinois University. He also served as a United States Olympic Team coach in 1968 and as an assistant in 1976. He was inducted into the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974.

In 1983, Calhoun was voted to the Olympic Dream Team along with Renaldo Nehemiah and Rod Milburn. Calhoun was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1991.

Lee Calhoun died in Erie, Pennsylvania aged 56. His memory lives on with the annual running of the Lee Calhoun High School Invitational hosted by North Carolina Central University.

1956 Olympics: 110 meter hurdles - 13.50 (1st)

1960 Olympics: 110 meter hurdles - 13.98 (1st)

1956 NCAA: 110 meter hurdles (1st)

1957 NCAA: 110 meter hurdles (1st)

"And so it was," many college tennis players finishing up their tennis season with only a few more tournaments to play and less than 20 matches to play before it was all over. This historic event called "The 108th Annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament" is known as the "Grand Slam" of tennis events on the West Coast. The Ojai Valley Championships (colleges) is held in the green valleys of Ojai – a part of Ventura County, California. During this time, players travel from many distances competing in College Divisions I, II, III, Community Colleges, Independent Colleges, Men’s and Women Open Division and lastly, the Junior Open Division. All competitors must meet tough pre-qualifications, determined by a player’s season record and ranking. So, only selected players can enter this premier college competition event. It’s a great event because spectators, coaches, friends and tennis gurus alike, have the opportunity to view the "Crème La Crème" of tennis players in the Western Hemisphere. Everything is on the line. Only the best will prevail and make it to the finals.

Two very well known African-Americans, who are former U.S.T.A. (United States Tennis Association) Southern California Junior Circuit players, named Olumide Sherman-Norman, known as the "Dark Horse" by his team-mates and Waylon Bennett represented Grossmont Community College ("Grossmont Griffins"). The Duo played 8 rounds of doubles matches (2 matches per day). In the end, they clinched the Community College Doubles Title. Nothing could have stopped this Duo, as they endured the heat, the bad sportsmanship at times, the oohs and aahhs from the spectators and the fiery looks from their opponents trying to understand why no-one had taken the Duo out in the earlier rounds. What they were still doing there, some folks asked intriguingly.

Olumide, the "Dark Horse," and Waylon unleashed their tennis athletic skills. Olumide’s powerful serving ability and fearless backhand combined with the finesse of Waylon’s left hand agility for twisting and spinning the balls confused their opponents at large in such a way that their opponents never knew what would be the Duo’s next plan of attack. Each day, these two African-Americans, freshman college tennis players met every adversity on and off the court. Finally, making their way through grit and grinding tough matches, sometimes playing tie breakers for the set, they reached the quarter-finals. Competitors alike were now taking an interest as to who these guys were from San Diego, California. More spectators came to watch the intensive points and how these guys protected their court, and gained respect. Respect is what they wanted and respect is what Waylon and Olumide achieved by working diligently on the court. Not bad for two tennis players who only played doubles together for one month prior to playing at Ojai. It was almost the end of a vigorous tennis season and Waylon and Olumide were ready for everything, everyday!! Quarter-finals came, they played through that match. Then semi-finals came and they remarkably played through that, while being down games at times and loosing a set. They bounced back and won the match.

When they reached for that last point, and realized they were now in the finals, they were ecstatic and so was their coach, Scott Strange, and his assistant, who were a motivational instrument to their success!!

Yes, these two under-rated African-Americans would next be defending their position for the Championship Doubles Title, which would be played an hour later after their semi-final win! Just enough time to ice up, eat/drink a little, talk, visit the trainer and have one last motivational talk from Coach Strange. Olumide and Waylon now realized they would make a huge impact in tennis history at Ojai. The most prestigious tennis event of the West Coast! With that in mind and great support from the Grossmont Coaches, these two outstanding tennis players, who grew up in the inner-city tennis programs of San Diego, battled to a 3rd set for the Community College Doubles Championship Title. In the final moments of championship play, Olumide closed out the set for the winning point and for the Title.

It was finally over!!

The spectators were amazed and left the courts with awe! Questions of how these two kept such a sportsmanlike professional demeanor even though other players trash talked about them and tried to undermined their ability on the court, while doubting the great potential they both have.

Olumide Sherman-Norman and Waylon Bennett currently hold two Community College Doubles Titles together. Both players have an impeccable singles and doubles end of season match records. Olumide and Waylon will be nominated for the "All-American" Player Title at end of season.

As I stood on the first tee on the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, I reflected on my own personal goals and strategies to aim for equality in the sport of golf and began to further understand and appreciated the struggles and career of golf legend Charlie Sifford.

My presence on what is known as "the home of golf," The Old Course, with one of the sport’s most unacknowledged professionals, I patiently waited for what should have been a bell toll tee shot heard around the world, for the champion that Mr. Sifford is. A host of family, friends, guests and international media were also drawn from around the world to share Mr. Sifford’s reception of the prestigious award of Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University at St. Andrews.

Sifford and his two sons, Charles Jr., and Craig, and his good friend, golf legend, Alton Duhon, were about to tee off on a day of inclement weather that posed its own deterrents. As the rain fell intermittently with austere gusts of wind, no one felt a desire to seek shelter. Everyone positioned themselves to glimpse this epic moment. And, as Sifford approached the first tee, he turned and declared, as outspoken and bold as ever, "This is great, but directed his displeasure to Professor Woods to go get my money."

At first I felt confusing uncomfortable. After all, he’d recently received an induction into the Hall of Fame and was here to accept an esteemed Doctorate of Laws. "How ungrateful," I grimaced. Then, suddenly it hit me, in that split second, although I momentarily sympathized with those equally shocked by Sifford’s statement, I began to empathize with his angry yet matter-of-fact sentiment. When will this man, a great legend, get the recognition he deserves monetarily and otherwise?

When will the industry of golf recognize that its discriminatory ethos of the past continues to resonate in the manners and behaviors of the culture of golf today? When will Sifford receive gratitude and recognition for being a pioneer for young African-American golfers who aspire for greatness but lack his fighting example?

During a long awaited private interview with Mr. Sifford, I enthusiastically asked, "How do you feel this tribute is significant to your career at this point?" and he replied, "Well, it’s a wonderful honor. I think it’s my second biggest honor. Going into the Hall of Fame was my greatest honor." I further inquired if he ever imagined that he would receive this well-deserved attention. "No," he confessed, "I never dreamt of it, and I don’t think anyone else ever dreamt of it either."

Another question I felt important to direct to him was what specifically he would like for a younger generation of players to learn from his legacy? He responded, "Well, you can’t take these young kids and try to make them golfers. If they have the desire to play golf, that’s great! They will have to hurdle many obstacles that may try and hinder their success. You don’t know whether they’re going to accept these challenges or not. The best thing to do is get an education and then take up golf, that way you’ll always have something solid to fall back on."

I shared with Sifford that there are numerous university golf scholarships that would allow a new generation of golfers to concurrently get an education and pursue the sport of golf and that African-American collegians should aggressively pursue these opportunities. In addition, I feel there are hidden obstacles built into the system that deter younger golfers by limiting proper training and exposure.