Herman Neugass
Herman Leo Neugass (January 10, 1915 – August 31, 1991) was an American collegiate track and field athlete who was a record holder for a period of time in sprints. He is most noted for his refusal to participate in the Olympic trials for the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games because of his Jewish faith and objection to Nazi antisemitism. He also served various community service organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, especially for Jewish people and for combat veterans. Early life Neugass was born in Magnolia, Mississippi, on January 10, 1915. Neugass's family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, when he was a child. There, he attended Isidore Newman School. On enrolling at Tulane University, Neugass majored in mathematics and succeeded academically, being admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He graduated in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Athletic career In his collegiate athletic career, Neugass initially played competitive tennis before switching to track & field, specializing in sprints. Soon after starting college, Neugass was timed in sprints and then received an invitation to join the university's track team. He particularly succeeded in the 100 yard dash and the 220 yard dash. He set a world record of