Willie Banks

Who was Willie Banks?

William Augustus Banks III is an American athlete. Born at Travis Air Force Base, California, he grew up in San Diego County and went to Oceanside High School. Banks is an Eagle Scout.

He was a track & field athlete competing in the triple jump. On June 16, 1985 he set a world record of 17.97 m at the national championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

He finished second in the NCAA Championships in 1977 and 1978. He earned his B.A. and Juris Doctor from UCLA, but was unable to pass the bar exam.

He broke the American record in 1981.

He was a member of the 1980, 1984, and 1988 Olympic teams.

He participated on the 1983 and 1987 World Championship teams.

He was awarded the Track & Field News and United States Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year in 1985. He also won the Jesse Owens Award as the Outstanding Athlete in Track and Field.

He served USA Track & Field as chair of the Athletes Advisory Committee in addition to serving as an organization vice president.

Banks will always be remembered as one of the most flamboyant athletes to compete in track and field. He is the originator of the now common hand clapping that takes place during many track and field events. His exuberant personality was also present in his jumping. He has been reported as laughing during some of his jumps. When he set the world record of 17.97 m at the 1985 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, his attention seemed more intent on completing his jump in order to cheer for teammate Claudette Groenendaal who was completing her 800 metres on the track adjacent to the runway at the same time. He held that record for over ten years until Jonathan Edwards broke it for the first time in 1995 with 17.98m. He also jumped 18.20m at Indianapolis in 1988, but this was assisted by an over the limit wind reading of 5.2 m/s.