Men's Track and Field | May 3, 2016

ANNVILLE, Pa. - The Middle Atlantic Conference and Executive Director Ken Andrews are proud to announce the MAC Hall of Fame Class of 2016, which includes La Salle graduate John Uelses. A 1965 graduate, Uelses was the first person to ever pole vault 16 feet. This year's class, the fifth class, has 20 inductees from current and former member institutions.

"We are delighted to announce the 2016 MAC Hall of Fame," said Andrews. "This is an exceptional group that represents the best of the Middle Atlantic Conference. It is an honor to recognize these contributors to the MAC legacy."

Uelses held the world record in the pole vault for a short time with his personal best of 16' .75", and in Feb. of 1962 his jump landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He is also credited with being one of the first people ever to vault with a fiberglass pole, with it quickly becoming the standard following his record-breaking achievement.

Uelses won three IC4A championships, two MAC championships, and the NCAA pole vault championship in 1964. He was inducted into the La Salle University Hall of Athletes in 1987, and the U.S. National Pole Vault Hall of Fame in 2008.

He joins Tom Gola, Ira Davis, Al Cantello and Bill Raftery as La Salle graduates in the MAC Hall of Fame. 

To read more about the MAC Hall of Fame, click here.