Jackson V. Scholz- A Member of 3 Olympic Teams

Jackson "Jack" Scholz
Courtesy of University of Missouri
"Mizzou Magazine"

In the 1920's Longmeadow, MA and Springfield, MA area residents followed the accomplishments of the Olympic athlete Jackson "Jack" V. Scholz.  He had been a Track star at the University of Missouri graduating in 1920.  That same year his parents had relocated to Springfield, MA from the state of Missouri.  His father, Dr. Samuel B. Scholz, Jr., began his new position as the Medical Director of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Springfield.  At first, his parents lived at The Oaks Hotel in the city.  A year later in 1921 they purchased a home at 37 Hopkins Place in Longmeadow, MA. 

Jackson Scholz became well known throughout the United States, because he was a member of the 1920 Olympic Track Team that competed in Antwerp, Belgium.  He had been a "sprint king" while running and excelling in Track at the University of Missouri where he had also earned his degree in Journalism.  His next accomplishment was joining the Olympic Track Team after graduating from college.  At the 1920 Olympics Jackson Scholz and his three sprinter teammates ran the 4 person 400 meter relay- winning a Gold Medal.  At the Olympics that August they also broke the World Record that was set for this event in 1912.  The Longmeadow/ Springfield area residents were very proud of this young man!

(Click to enlarge)

1920 Olympics
400 Meter Relay Team
Arizona daily orb
Sept. 23, 1920

Jackson went on and competed in the 1924 Olympics.

Source: Springfield Republican
Jun 22, 1924

This young man earned a Gold Medal in the 200 meter event in France.  He also won a Silver Medal in the 100 meter event at the Olympics that year.  Longmeadow, the Springfield area and the United States followed his accomplishments.

When coming back to this area to visit his parents, Jackson donated his time and his talent to other sprinters on the Springfield College Varsity Track Team. He would attend their practices and give pointers to the young athletes.

In 1926 his parents moved to 73 Farmington Avenue.  He was the guest speaker at the Longmeadow Men's Club dinner meeting in February of 1928 where members of the club brought their sons to the "Father and Son" event.  It was held at the Longmeadow Community House.  That year in 1928 he once again earned a place on the United States Olympic Team. 

Source:  Springfield Union
October 30, 1986

Jackson V. Scholz competed in the finals in three different Olympics.  They were 1920, 1924 and 1928.  

His parents, Dr. and Mrs. Scholz, Jr., moved from this area in the early 1930's when Dr. Scholz became the Medical Director of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.  It had been an exciting time for Longmeadow/ Springfield area residents to have the opportunity to meet and to know the Olympic Track star.  

While training for the Olympics, Jackson also wrote short stories.  He had earned his degree in Journalism, so this talented sprinter continued writing after his Olympic career ended.   He authored many books for young readers.  Some of his many books included Batter Up and  Fielder From  Nowhere that were stories about baseball.  End Zone was a story about football.               

The 1981 Academy Award winning movie "Chariots of Fire" was set during the 1924 Olympics.  The actor Brad Davis portrayed Jackson V. Scholz in this movie.     

Sources:  Springfield Republican- Dec 25, 1920; Oct 20, 1921; Oct 22, 1921; May 8, 1934; "Mizzou Magazine"- May 22, 2020 and Boston Herald- Aug 23, 1920.

~Written by Judy Moran