Dave Wottle’s dramatic finish in the 1972 Munich Olympics was the closest finish in Olympic 800-meter history and earned him a Gold Medal in that event. Yet most people will remember Dave more for the tattered golf cap he wore during the race than the race itself. As a result of Dave’s performance in Munich, he was awarded the prestigious U.S. Olympic Spirit Award, given to the athlete who demonstrates the special spirit of Olympism, courage, and achievement at the Olympic Games. Dave and his roommate in Munich, Frank Shorter, are the last two American men to win the 800-meter race and marathon, respectively in the Olympic Games.

During his track and cross-country career at Bowling Green State University, Dave earned All-American honors eight times, was an 8-time national champion, and broke the four-minute mile 18 times. In the 1972 Olympic Trials, Dave qualified for the Olympic Games in both the 800 meters and in the 1500 meters. His performance in the 800 meters was especially memorable as he tied the world record with a time of 1 minute, 44.3 seconds.

The following year in the first-ever Hayward Restoration Meet (now the Prefontaine Classic), he became the third fastest miler of all time by running a 3 minute, 53.3 second mile en route to a victory over America’s premier distance runner Steve Prefontaine. Dave was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1982. His hat was placed into the Hall of Fame three years earlier! Following his collegiate career, Dave ran professional track for two years prior to retiring from running in 1976. He then began a career in college admissions and financial aid, which spanned 39 years at five different institutions.