Tyndall native Carl Youngworth was not an outstanding track athlete during his days at Yankton College. That figured, of course, because Youngworth ultimately became one of the greatest college track coaches in the nation.
Born in 1898, Youngworth came to Yankton College in 1915. He later fought in World War I, an experience that transformed him into a determined leader of young men and women.
After coaching stints in Winner and Fort Benton, Mont., Youngworth returned to YC at age 24 to become the school's only coach for football, basketball and track. He was the school's athletic director and had virtually no budget with which to work.
Track was definitely Youngworth's forte. Beginning with the recruitment of a prairie flash named "Smokey Joe" Mendel in 1930, Youngworth built what was christened "the biggest little track school in the country." (Mendel once set the world record in the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.5 seconds.) Youngworth's teams won 11 consecutive South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference championships prior to World War II.
The success continued through the years. He gave up the athletic director's position in 1958 but held on to the track reins for several years after that.
In 1969, YC's Crane Field was renamed Crane-Youngworth Field in his honor. He was named the school's Alumnus of the Year in 1967 and became Yankton's very first Citizen of the Year in 1970.
He died April 21, 1992.
CENTURY EDITION
