Andy Stanfield
A dominant American sprinter who seized double Olympic gold in Helsinki, briefly ruling the world's tracks.
1927–1985 (age 58)·American athletics competitor (1927–85)·Birthday: December 29·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Andy Stanfield exploded onto the track scene in the early 1950s, a period of American sprinting dominance. His powerful stride carried him to consecutive NCAA 200-meter titles while at Seton Hall, but his defining moment came at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. There, he displayed both individual brilliance and team prowess, capturing gold in the 200 meters and the 4x100 meter relay. He returned to the Olympic stage four years later in Melbourne, adding a silver medal in the 200 meters to his haul. Stanfield's career, though somewhat shortened, was marked by a consistent ability to perform when it mattered most, making him a central figure in the golden era of post-war U.S. track and field.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Andy was born in 1927, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Andy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1927
#1 Movie
Wings
Andy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1927Born
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1932Started school
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1940Became a teenager
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Could drive
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1945Could vote
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Turned 21
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1957Turned 30
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 40
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 50
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1985Died at 58
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
Key Achievements
- Won Olympic gold medals in the 200 meters and the 4x100 meter relay at the 1952 Helsinki Games.
- Earned an Olympic silver medal in the 200 meters at the 1956 Melbourne Games.
- Won back-to-back NCAA championships in the 200 yards (1952 and 1953) for Seton Hall University.
- Set a world record in the 200 meters (20.6 seconds) in 1951.
Did You Know?
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War after his initial Olympic success.
Stanfield was a member of the famed track club, the Pioneer Club of Newark.
He later worked as a teacher and track coach in his home state of New Jersey.
“The curve is where the 200 is won or lost; you have to run your own race there.”
