South Carolina Hall Of Fame: Lucile Godbold

Born in Marion, South Carolina in 1900, Lucile Godbold was graduated from Winthrop College in 1922 with a degree in physical education. In 1922 she qualified for the United States Track and Field Team and competed in the first International Track and Field Meet for Women in Paris. She was chosen to carry the United States flag and lead the procession of athletes during the playing of the national anthem. Miss Godbold earned 13 of the United States team's 31 points by winning the shot put event with a new world's record, placing third in the javelin throw and fourth in both the 300-meter run and 1,000-meter run. Miss Godbold was appointed athletic director at Columbia College in 1922 where she taught physical education for 58 years. In 1961 she became the first woman inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1971 Columbia College's new physical education center was named in her honor.