Al Feuerbach

Event: Shot Put

Inducted to Hall of Fame: 1979

Al was one of the most colorful characters to grace the shot put circle. Standing 6' tall, Al was considered small among world-class shot putters. But by honing his technique and bulking up his body to 240 pounds on what he described as "definitely not a low cholesterol diet," Al became one of the dominant shot putters of the '70s.

In 1973, Al won the first of three Mt. SAC Relays titles. His winning throw of 70-9 marked the first time that the 70 foot barrier was broken in Relays' competition. In 1974, he fell just a quarter inch shy of once again throwing 70 feet.

Al set world records both indoors and outdoors, and qualified for three consecutive Olympic teams ('72, '76, '80). He missed winning the gold medal in '72 by only 6 1/2 inches. He retired from competition in 1983.

Born: 1948

College: Emporia State University

• 1973: 1st, 70-9 (21.56m)
• 1974: 1st, 69-11 3/4 (21.33m)
• 1977: 1st, 66-2 3/4 (20.18m)
• 1980: 4th, 65-8 1/4

• PR: 71-7 (21.82m)
• Set WR
  • '73: 71-7 (21.82m)
• Olympic 5th place finish, 1972
  • 68-11 (21.01m)
• Olympic 4th place finish, 1976
  • 67-5 1/4 (20.55m)
• U.S. National Champion
  • 1973: 68-1
  • 1974: 70-9 3/4
  • 1975: 68-10 3/4
  • 1978: 67-1 1/2
• Pan-Am Champion, 1971
  • 64-10 (19.76)