He may be the most famous Arkansas athlete to participate in the Olympics, but Mike Conley is far from being the only Razorback to compete in the prestigious games.
With a gold (1992) and silver (1984) in the triple jump, Conley is no doubt the most well-known Hog to compete in the Olympics. Since his appearances, many more Razorback athletes have made Olympic appearances. Like Conley, they were all Arkansas track and field athletes.
"Another guy, Niall O'Shaughnessy gave credibility (to Arkansas producing Olympians), and Conley solidified it," Arkansas coach John McDonnell said. "What helped was we were fortunate to get good guys like Conley and Niall. They were not only great athletes but better people. They were the salt of the earth, and no one likes a hot dog."
In 1976, O'Shaughnessy, representing Ireland in the 800 and 1,500 meters, was Arkansas' first distance runner in the Olympics. Conley's first appearance was in 1984, and since those two, many more Razorback jumpers and distance runners have competed in the Olympics.
Since Conley, Robert Howard, representing the United States and Brian Wellman, representing Bermuda, have been the most consistent jumpers. In the triple jump, Howard finished eighth and seventh, respectively, in 1996 and 2000. Also a triple jumper, Wellman competed in 1988, was fifth in 1992, sixth in 1996 and a qualifier in 2000.
McDonnell knows for sure that athletic director Frank Broyles appreciates what the Olympic athletes do for Arkansas.
"One time, he (Broyles) was making a speech when Niall was running so great," McDonnell said. "He said, 'O'Shaughnessy is a running billboard for Arkansas.' Not many people had the foresight he had."
In addition to Wellman and Howard, Arkansas was well represented in the 2000 Olympics with current senior Hog Kenny Evans (United States) in the high jump; Sean Kaley (Canada) in the 10,000 meters; Melvin Lister (United States) in the long jump and Michael Power (Australia) in the 5,000 meters.
Other well-known Razorback competitors represented in the Olympics in the 1990s include Calvin Davis (United States) in the 400 hurdles in 1996; Niall Burton (Ireland) in the 1,500 meters (1996); Graham Hood (Canada) in the 1,500 meters in 1992 and 1996; Reuben Reina (United States) in the 5,000 (1992); Brandon Rock (United States) in the 800 meters (1996); Jerome Romain (Dominica) in the triple jump (1996) and Godfrey Siamusiye in the steeplechase (1996).
During the 2000 Olympics, Deena Drossin became the first Lady Razorback athlete to make any U.S. squad when she competed in the 10,000 meters.
"To compete on the Olympics is the greatest dream," McDonnell said. "As a coach, you try and help everyone fulfill that dream, because it's something they'll never forget."
