May 17, 2015
I recently received an email from Michael Daniels of Baton Rouge, LA. Daniels went to high school with Rodney Milburn, the 1972 Olympic champion in the 110 hurdles. A biography that I wrote on Milburn, The Quiet Champion, is available to read on this website.
Daniels is the project leader of the J.S. Clark Memorial Walkway in Milburn’s hometown of Opelousas, LA. (J.S. Clark is the name of the high school Milburn attended; it no longer exists). A bust of Milburn will be a feature of the project. The bust is already completed, and was sculpted by DJ Dawden of Utah. Clark says that, “like all of us, Dawden felt a kinship to Rodney. I sent him about 10 pics. He did a composite using those and he added the gold medal. All of Rodney’s family cried when we had the unveiling.”
Below are photos of the bust, of the walkway, as well as some vintage pics from Milburn’s high school, college, and professional days.
Milburn lives!
Not-quite-completed bust of Rodney Milburn
Completed bust of Milburn
Completed bust of Milburn, from a different angle.
J.S. Clark Memorial Walkway in its current stage of development. Notice the hurdle in the middle, the bust of Milburn to the left.
Milburn clearing a wooden hurdle on the field at J.S. Clark High School in 1967. The school’s wooden hurdles were made by the shop class.
Milburn (far left) races against teammates on the grass field at J.S. Clark.
Milburn (third from left) with his high school coaches. I’m not sure who all of them are, but the one on the far left is Claude Paxton.
Milburn receives his award after winning the Louisiana Meet of Champions in 13.9.
Milburn (middle) with 1968 Olympic champion and fellow Southern University hurdler Willie Davenport (left) and another Southern U. teammate.
Milburn relaxing at the track. Not sure where or when this one is from.
Milburn showing his start technique. Not sure of the where or when of this one either.
