Charles W. Major Sr. (17 April 1904–1984), also known as Charlie Major, was a Bahamian high jumper who also competed in the long jump and pole vault.[3] He was active throughout the 1920s and 1930s and was considered one of the most influential sports figures in the U.S. collegiate system during that time.[3][1]
Major was a favorite for the U.S. team at the 1928 Olympics (the Bahamas was not recognized by the International Olympic Committee until the 1952 Games), but he was injured that year so he did not compete at the Olympic trials. His highest clearance was 6 ft 71⁄2 in (2.01 m) in 1929 at an outdoor track meet in New York.[3]
Personal life
At age 13 in 1917, Major left his hometown in
Nassau, Bahamas by boat to travel to New York City. Landing in New York was "an out of this world experience" for him.[1] After his time competing with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, he went on to coach the team in 1933 and 1934.[3]
After retiring from amateur
Hugh L. Carey issued a proclamation in Major's honor, declaring April 17th as "Charles W. Major Day" in New York.[1]
On 31 May 1985, the "Charlie Major Track", a 400-meter eight-lane running track at St. Bonaventure University, was unveiled coinciding with a 10K run race in his honor. The track was funded using $30,000 from the St. Bonaventure class of 1934. As the Bonnies track and field program was discontinued, the track was demolished in 2004, but a memorial plaque was left. The Bonnies track program was re-established in 2017.[2]
