TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A pair of size 15 shoes was held at the heels by longtime IHSAA umpire and Flora resident Larry Henning inside a brightly lit, multi-colored room.
There's a story behind every jersey, photo and display case shown at the Indiana Track and Field Museum and Henning is the expert. He's a master storyteller whose encyclopedic mind is full of information over 130 years of Indiana track and field history. As for those "Bozo Shoes" the jovial Henning described? They were his.
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Size 15 rubberized sneakers that Henning painstakingly wore for two weeks during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as a track umpire. They were the only pair that fit his wide feet.
Just like those shoes, they now carry a special place in history as Henning and the two other Lafayette connections were inducted into the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Henning, who has umpired track and field since 1986, was joined alongside U.S. Olympics 1924 decathlon competitor Harry Frieda of Chalmers and former Purdue Track and Field star Brionna Thomas as 17 new members consisting of coaches, athletes and coaches were enshrined.
Henning could speak for hours about the history of Indiana track and field sports from topics such as Charles Hall, a 1992 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee of Terre Haute Gerstmeyer. Hall is considered the luckiest man in Indiana track history after winning the 1957 state high jump championship by a coin flip after a tie followed by repeating his title in 1958 after another tie between six other competitors. Hall won the 1958 title on a string pull.
But when it comes to Henning's own exploits, he shies away from the limelight having been a cross country and distance runner at Valparaiso High School and has coached at Carroll High School.
"It feels great, especially with this class," Henning said. "Some really great athletes in these athletes."
Ben Davis High School track and field coach and Indiana Association of Track and Field Cross Country Coaches president Mike Davidson shared how Henning's work as both umpire and historian has shaped high school sports in Indiana.
"A good official is sometimes not noticed until things are needed," Davidson said. "Larry is someone I've seen and been around for a long time both coaching, officiating and I get to know him once we get into state meets. As a coach, an officer of the association you realize how important someone is. Larry is one of those guys who you know is in good hands when he's there. He's a caring person and a dedicated soul."
Chalmers native Harry Frieda recognized for Olympic accomplishments in Paris
The memory of Chalmers native Harry Frieda is one not known to many in the world of modern track and field — or even in his native White County where the decathlon athlete was born.
But with help from White Museum curators, Henning is in the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame and a yellow jacket will be given to make sure Frieda's memory never evaporates.
"It's a priority for the track association and hall of fame," Davidson said. "As we look at track and field in Indiana, the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame is a representation of the best of the best to come through the state. Doesn't mean the ones that we know of because we are alive right now. Let's look back at the foundation that allows us to get to where we are at today."
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Frieda's athletic exploits at Chalmers High School drew the attention of famed University of Chicago coach Alonzo Stagg. Stagg recruited Frieda to the University of Chicago and he would gain national acclaim.
Frieda won the 1923 NCAA Championship in javelin and performed the decathlon in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He finished eighth in his lone Olympic appearance.
He joined the Chicago public school system as an educator in 1947 and he coached track and field and football at both Calumet and Lake View High School before passing away in 1981.
Brionna Thomas accepts nod, ready to tackle firefighting
Former Purdue University track star Brionna Thomas was never one to sit still as a child.
Introduced to track in the sixth grade, Thomas would blossom into one of the country's top high school and collegiate sprinters. She was named the 2017 Purdue Female Athlete of the Year after a career full of victories in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, and 4x400 relay.
A resume that includes winning the indoor and outdoor championships in the Big Ten Conference in the 4x400 meter relay, an outdoor 400 meters championship and All-American bids in both indoor and outdoor in 2017 to go with IHSAA state championships in the 100 and 200 meters in 2012 and 2013.
Now the Boilermaker is setting a new challenge for herself in her adopted state of Texas.
Thomas is becoming a firefighter in Houston after working as a school teacher and working for the Department of Protective Service.
The passion for wanting to help others and being active has given Thomas a new goal to strive for.
"I got faith that I can whip into shape," Thomas said. "Exercise is going to be a challenge but I think I can do it."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter atEthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
