William John Dwyer (1974) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

William John Dwyer

Induction:
1974
Class:
1948

William John Dwyer ’48, one of Rhode Island’s most exciting sprinters during his days at Classical High, had an equally successful career at Brown, setting several University and New England marks. At Classical in 1941, Dwyer was the All-State choice in the 100-yard dash and was timed in 4.4 for the 40, which equaled the world record. He turned in a 9.9 century at Brown, tying the Cub record set by Ken Clapp ’40. Then, in 1943, he sped to the New England Indoor sprint championship, establishing his credentials as a Bruin track great. Dwyer spent the next two years in the Army – but he didn’t stop running. While competing in the Pacific Olympics, he gained world-wide recognition by placing second in the 100-meters and in the 200-meter low hurdles and running leadoff man on the winning 400-meter sprint relay team. Returning to Brown in 1946, Dwyer was elected co-captain of the team and went on to win the New England title in both the 100 and the 220 low hurdles. In the winter of 1947, Dwyer placed third in the 60-yard low hurdles in the National AAU meet at Madison Square Garden. The winner that night was Harrison Dillard from Baldwin Wallace, who equaled the world’s record of :0.6. In July of 1948, Dwyer won the National AAU 200-meters low hurdle crown at Marquette Stadium in :24.2, his first national crown. In both 1950 and 1952, Dwyer represented the United States on National Amateur Athletic track teams that toured Europe. In the summer of 1950 Dwyer accomplished a feat that had never been done before when he captured three events at the New England Association AAU track meet at Lynn’s Manning Bowl – winning the 100, the 200, and the 220 low hurdles. Dwyer earned a master of science degree from Syracuse and is a teacher at West Islip High in New York.