Men's Track and Field | July 17, 2023

La Salle Athletics is saddened by the news that John Uelses, a member of the La Salle Class of 1965 and a two-sport athlete for the Explorers, passed away after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Uelses, who was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 1987, was a talented and accomplished athlete, making history as the first man to pole vault over 16 feet. His record-breaking jump at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York made headlines around the world and landed him on cover of Sports Illustrated. He was a member of the United States Track Team, competing and winning medals in countries around the world.

Uelses was born Hans Joachim Feigenbaum in Berlin, Germany. During his early years WWII forced the family to become refugees. At age 12, he was sent to the United States to live with a great aunt and uncle, and was later joined by his brother Fred. Speaking no English, the two had to study extra hard. They were later adopted and became United States citizens.

During this time, he learned about a U.S. Marine track and field program that would let him compete in national and international events. He described himself at the time as "the only Marine who looked forward to Boot Camp." It was when he was a corporal stationed at Quantico that he achieved his world record-breaking pole vault, a record he himself broke by 1/2" at the Boston Indoor Games (indoor) and Santa Barbara Relays (outdoor). He was one of the earliest vaulters to compete using a fiberglass pole, then regarded as a gimmick but which - thanks to John's athletic prowess, determination, and skill - quickly came into standard use.

While in the Marines, Uelses was also a member of U.S. track team, traveling and competing all over the world including the Cold War matches with the USSR. He vaulted and won medals in Brussels, Russia, Poland, Finland, Japan, Germany and England. His first place win in 1963 in Moscow achieved despite an injury was particularly satisfying to him.

After his tour with the Marines and a year at the University of Alabama, Uelses transferred to La Salle University where he vaulted and played soccer. As an Explorer, he won the NCAA pole vault championship in 1964 with an American indoor record of 16' 4.5", as well as three ICAA championships, two MAC Championships, and became an NCAA All-American.

Uelses began his career as an officer in U.S. Naval Aviation. He was selected for the first F14 Tomcat Fighter Squadron VF 1 at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. He was first a student, and then an instructor at U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, now known as Top Gun. His fighter squadrons served aboard USS Ranger and USS Enterprise. After years in the air and at sea it was time to stay on ground.

He was assigned to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduating and earning a Master's degree at Naval War College, he served with U.S. European NATO Command in Germany and at Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the La Salle Hall of Athletes, Uelses was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame, Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and Miami Senior High Hall of Fame.

After retirement he continued to share his passion for vaulting by coaching high school vaulters in the San Diego area. And he developed a new passion for golf and a goal of a hole in one, which he did of course achieve.

He is survived by his wife, Mickey, their children Mark (Susie), Elyssa (Bruce), grandsons Max (Whittney), Jake (Taylor), great-granddaughter (Maisy), and brother Fred (Claudia).