Harmon Brown

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Harmon Brown. Harmon
was a real pioneer in both sports medicine and sports science. He was very
instrumental in my career. I found it almost ironic that I learned of his
passing when I checked my email during a break at a conference at the US Olympic
Training
center in Colorado spring, a site where Harmon lead so many organizational
meeting to get sports medicine and sport science as integral part of the US Olympic development
process. He gave me an opportunity to be the women’s hurdle coordinator which
in turn gave me the opportunity to be involved in the sports science work
leading into the 1984 Olympics. What many people did not realize was that
Harmon was a great throwing coach. When I was coaching at Cal he coached the
throwers at Cal State Hayward. He was always so willing to share his knowledge
with my throwers, something we all appreciated. Harmon was also very
instrumental in the success of the coaching education program. When the program
started there was much opposition from the old AAU group, but Harmon in his
role a committee chair lent his support. Even more important he lead by example,
he was one of the first name coaches to go through the Level One curriculum. I remember
teaching that school with him in the audience. What a powerful message that
sent to everyone in the room and those who had been critical of the program. I
will miss Harmon. I did not communicate as often with him in the last few
years, but when I did he always inspired to keep learning. He will be missed as
a great person and a quiet leader. I hope someone in the sport of Track & Field
can fill the void that Harmon has left.