Hall of Fame
John Chavez is a household name in the track and field world as an athlete, educator and coach for over 48 years. Chavez came to MWSU in 1960 and was involved with track and field until the day he passed on March 21, 2013. As a student-athlete at St. Joseph Junior College, he won two individual national championships (400 & 800 meter) and one relay (One Mile).
Chavez graduated in 1962 from SJJC and moved on to attend William Jewell College where he graduated in 1965. While at William Jewell, he left his name all over the record books. He still holds six school records for the following events: 800-yard dash, 2-mile relay, 4 x 400 relay, 4 x 1600 yard relay, sprint medley relay and distance medley relay.
John taught school and served as a translator and track official in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City; 1984 games in Los Angeles, Calif.; 1992 games in Barcelona; and 1996 games in Atlanta.
He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, a former president of Little United Nations Club and a member of the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coach Association Hall of Fame in 1996. He was a 10-year member of the games committee at the State High School Track and Field Meet as well as being named the 2009 St. Joseph Sports Inc. Coach of the Year.
He taught Spanish in St. Joseph, Mo. for over 40 years, including stints at Central High School, Christian Brothers High School (now LeBlond High School) and Lafayette High School.
