Grinnell College Athletics

H.J. "Doc" Huff '09 was the first of several nationally prominent Grinnell sprinters in the first quarter of this century. He later served his alma mater as a coach. In the 1907 Iowa State meet, Huff swept the dashes, winning the 100, 220, and 440, while anchoring the half-mile and mile relay teams. In Missouri Valley competition he won the 220 and was second in the 100. "Doc" became U.S. sprint champion in 1907 by winning the 100 and 220 at the national AAU championship meet. In 1908 he won the Olympic Invitational 100-meter dash and was named to the U.S. team for the Games in England. Huff won preliminaries in both the 100 and 200 but due to a severe cold and an ankle sprain he was narrowly defeated in the semi-finals. "Doc" became Grinnell's track coach in 1912 and also served a athletic director from 1914 until leaving in 1926. His star pupil was Morgan Taylor '26, Olympic hurdle champion. Huff left to become track coach at the University of Kansas and later at the University of Missouri. "Doc," who died in 1964, devoted his entire career to youth as a coach, USO director, instructor of commercial subjects and group home parent.