Shelly Hamilton was UB’s First Division I All-American
2/12/2021 9:11:00 AM | General, Track and Field
The 1998 NCAA Division I Track and Field Outdoor Championships were hosted by the University at Buffalo and Bulls' high jumper Shelly Hamilton capitalized on the home field advantage. Hamilton was one of the top eight American finishers that year, thus earning All-American honors and becoming the first UB student-athlete named an All-American, in any sport, at the Division I level.
After clearing the opening height of 5'8" (1.73m) on her third attempt, Hamilton advanced to the second round of the competition with the bar set at 5'9' ¾" (1.77m). In front of a crowd of UB coaches, athletes and fans, Hamilton successfully cleared that height again on her third try to resounding applause. The next round saw the bar set at 5'11 ¾" (1.81m). Despite the support of fans and friends, Hamilton was unable to clear the height in her third and final attempt. However, her performance was good enough to earn All-American honors.
Hamilton entered the meet as the first female athlete from the University at Buffalo invited to compete in a NCAA Division I Championship of any kind after qualifying at the Kent Open with a then school- and Mid-Continent Conference-record jump of 5'10 ¾" (1.80m).
In 1999, hampered by injuries, Hamilton would still break her own school record with a jump of 5'11 ¼" to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Boise, ID. However, she couldn't repeat her All-American performance. Nevertheless, it in no way diminished her extraordinary career.
While Hamilton was the first UB Division I All-American, she certainly wasn't the last. In track and field alone, the Bulls have had student-athletes earn All-American honors 23 times at either the indoor or outdoor championships, culminated by Jon Jones winning the national championship in the shot put in 2015.
After clearing the opening height of 5'8" (1.73m) on her third attempt, Hamilton advanced to the second round of the competition with the bar set at 5'9' ¾" (1.77m). In front of a crowd of UB coaches, athletes and fans, Hamilton successfully cleared that height again on her third try to resounding applause. The next round saw the bar set at 5'11 ¾" (1.81m). Despite the support of fans and friends, Hamilton was unable to clear the height in her third and final attempt. However, her performance was good enough to earn All-American honors.
Hamilton entered the meet as the first female athlete from the University at Buffalo invited to compete in a NCAA Division I Championship of any kind after qualifying at the Kent Open with a then school- and Mid-Continent Conference-record jump of 5'10 ¾" (1.80m).
In 1999, hampered by injuries, Hamilton would still break her own school record with a jump of 5'11 ¼" to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Boise, ID. However, she couldn't repeat her All-American performance. Nevertheless, it in no way diminished her extraordinary career.
While Hamilton was the first UB Division I All-American, she certainly wasn't the last. In track and field alone, the Bulls have had student-athletes earn All-American honors 23 times at either the indoor or outdoor championships, culminated by Jon Jones winning the national championship in the shot put in 2015.
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