Dave Albritton

Who was Dave Albritton?

David Donald Albritton had a long career that spanned three decades and numerous titles and was one of the first high jumpers to use the straddle technique. He was born in Danville, Alabama.

Albritton had a number of similarities with all-time great Jesse Owens. Both were born in Alabama, Albritton in Danville and Owens in nearby Oakville; both attended East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio; both attended the Ohio State University; both were members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; both competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

As a sophomore at Ohio State, Albritton won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1936.

In 1936, Albritton and Cornelius Johnson both cleared 6-9¾ to set a world record at the Olympic Trials, becoming the first blacks to hold the world record in the event. Albritton was second to Johnson at the 1936 Summer Olympics, with a height of 6' 6¾". He claimed the silver medal in a jump-off after he and two other jumpers cleared the same height.

Albritton and Johnson were snubbed by Hitler when they went to collect their medals.

Albritton won or tied for seven National Amateur Athletic Union outdoor titles from 1936 to 1950.