Dwight Stones

Former Bruin athlete and Olympic double-bronze medalist Dwight Stones is a man of many skills. He is the all-time #1-ranked American high jumper as well as a successful sports announcer and businessman. His athletic honors include 10 record-breaking high jump performances, and induction into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1998.

On April 29, 2007, Stones will be inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

During his competitive career, Stones dominated the high jump event. In the span of 16 years, he won 19 national championship titles and was twice voted “World Indoor Athlete of the Year” by Track & Field News.

In the 1970s, Sports Illustrated writer Frank Debord dubbed Stones the “mouth that soars,” recognizing his knack for both clearing the high bar and speaking out on a variety of issues. When the U.S. declined to compete in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Stones’ commentary on the boycott launched him into a career as a motivational speaker, lecturer and clinician.

In 1984, Stones turned his penchant for commentary into a successful career in television broadcasting. He went on-air for ABC TV, becoming the first person to both announce and compete in the same Olympic Games and launching into his second career. Over the ensuing two decades, Stones covered Olympic Games as host and play-by-play correspondent for NBC, ABC, CBS and ESPN.

Stones also was part of NBC’s Emmy-winning broadcast for Best Live Event Turnaround of the Track and Field World Championships in 1999. In 2000, he hosted the Web coverage for track and field events at the Paralympic Games from Sydney.

As a sports mentor, Stones founded Dwight Stones Sports. He has recruited a team of star coaches to join him in working with clients to provide customized sports training. The business launched its own line of athletic gear in 2006.

Though retired from competition, Stones continues to support the sport he loves. He created the Elite Athlete Program to increase awareness for track and field, and he was elected to serve as one of three vice presidents of the U.S. Olympians Association.