Editing Dave Wottle

{{Short description|American track athlete}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2024}}

{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Dave Wottle
| image = Dave Wottle 1972c.jpg
| caption = Wottle at the 1972 Olympics
| full_name = David James Wottle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|8|7}}
| birth_place = [[Canton, Ohio]], U.S.
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| weight = {{convert|66|kg|lb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| sport = [[Track and field#Running|Track]]
| event = [[800 meters]], [[1500 meters]], [[Mile run|mile]]
| collegeteam = [[Bowling Green State University|Bowling Green]]
| pb = '''[[800 meters|800m]]''': 1:44.3 (Eugene 1972)<ref name="sr">{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wo/dave-wottle-1.html |title=Dave Wottle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417171129/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wo/dave-wottle-1.html |archive-date=2020-04-17}}</ref><ref name="IAAF">{{Cite web |title=David WOTTLE - Athlete Profile |url=https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/dave-wottle-306121 |website=International Association of Athletics Federations |access-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408171655/https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/dave-wottle-306121 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br/> '''[[1500 meters|1500m]]''': 3:36.2 (Helsinki 1973)<ref name="IAAF" /> <br/> '''[[Mile run|Mile]]''': 3:53.3 (Eugene 1973)<ref name="IAAF" />
| show-medals    = yes
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCountry | the {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Athletics at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Munich]]|[[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 800 metres|800 m]]}}
}}

'''David James Wottle''' (born August 7, 1950) is an American retired [[middle-distance running|middle-distance]] [[track and field|track]] [[Athletics (sport)|athlete]]. He was the gold medalist in the 800 meter run at the [[1972 Summer Olympics]] in [[Munich]] and a world record holder in the 800 meters. In 1973, Wottle also ran the then-3rd fastest mile in history. He was known for wearing a [[golf cap]] while running.<ref name=sr/><ref name="bgsumgolfcap">{{Cite magazine |date=Spring 2012 |title=40th anniversary of Dave Wottle's Olympic Gold |url=http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/magazine/2012/spring/page111424.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314083205/http://www2.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/magazine/2012/spring/page111424.html |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |magazine=BGSU Magazine |publisher=Bowling Green State University}}</ref>

==Early life==
Dave Wottle was born in [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]], [[Ohio]]. During his childhood he was very slim and feeble. His family doctor told him that he needed to do something, such as running, to strengthen himself. The young boy took this advice and "ran with it".

==Running career==
===High school running===
Wottle attended [[Lincoln High School (Canton, Ohio)|Canton Lincoln High School]] in Canton, Ohio, graduating in 1968.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--staff byline; no author given--> |date=2016-05-02 |title=STARK HS ICONS: Lincoln High School Top 10 Sports Icons |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2016/05/02/stark-hs-icons-lincoln-high/31056513007/ |work=[[Canton Repository]] |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127112900/https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2016/05/02/stark-hs-icons-lincoln-high/31056513007/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BringBacktheMile">{{Cite web |title=Dave Wottle |url=https://bringbackthemile.com/athletes/detail/dave_wottle |website=Bring Back the Mile}}</ref> Wottle was the 1968 Ohio State champion in the mile, after finishing 4th in 1967.<ref name="GalionInquirer_2016">{{Cite news |date=March 16, 2016 |title=OHSAA to honor 3 former standouts in Circle of Champions at boys state basketball tournament |url=https://www.galioninquirer.com/sports/9484/ohsaa-to-honor-3-former-standouts-in-circle-of-champions-at-boys-state-basketball-tournament |work=[[Galion Inquirer]]}}</ref>

===Collegiate running===
Competing for [[Bowling Green State University]], Wottle finished second to [[Marty Liquori]] in the mile run at the [[1970 NCAA University Division Outdoor Track and Field Championships|1970 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships]] (3:59.9 to 4:00.1).<ref name="QuercentaniKot_2000">{{Cite book |last=Quercentani |first=Roberto |title=Wizards of the Middle Distances |last2=Kot |first2=Nejat |year=2000}}{{full citation needed|date=August 2024}}</ref> That same year he represented his country in the 800 meters at the [[Athletics at the 1970 Summer Universiade – Men's 800 metres|World University Games]] in Turin narrowly missing the final. During the 1971 season, Wottle was hampered by injuries, but a year later in 1972, he won the 1,500 meter race at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

===1972 Olympics===
Leading up to the [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Olympic Games]] in [[Munich]], [[Germany]], Wottle won the [[Amateur Athletic Union|AAU]] 800-meter title in 1:47.3 before equaling the [[800 metres world record progression|world record over 800 meters]] of 1:44.3 at the US Olympic Trials. To the annoyance of US team coach [[Bill Bowerman]], he got married two weeks before the Games, and his new bride, Jan, traveled with him to Munich and stayed outside of the Olympic Village.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wottle 50 years on – the unlikeliest of Olympic 800m champions |url=https://worldathletics.org/heritage/news/dave-wottle-munich-1972-olympic-800m |website=Museum of World Athletics |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221175423/https://worldathletics.org/heritage/news/dave-wottle-munich-1972-olympic-800m |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics - Men's 800 metres|800 meters]] final at the Olympics, Wottle immediately dropped to the rear of the field, and stayed there for the first 500 m, at which point he started to pass runner after runner up the final straightaway.<ref name="capguy">{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.wimp.com/capguy/ |title=1972 Olympic 800m Final |publisher=ABC Sports |access-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220512/http://www.wimp.com/capguy/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |via=wimp.com |work=Summer Olympics}}</ref> He seized the lead in the final stretch to beat pre-race favorite [[Yevgeny Arzhanov]] of the Soviet Union by just 0.03 seconds. This gained him the nickname of "The Head Waiter". (Another nickname was "Wottle the Throttle").<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 17, 2005 |title=My Sport: Alan Sunderland |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2359756/My-Sport-Alan-Sunderland.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |interviewer=Gareth A Davies |access-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015153135/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2359756/My-Sport-Alan-Sunderland.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Wottle’s winning performance was a triumphant tour de force of even-paced running. His 200m splits were 26.4, 27.1, 26.2 and 26.2.<ref name="QuercentaniKot_2000" />

Stunned by his victory, Wottle forgot to remove his cap on the podium during the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|national anthem]]. Some interpreted this as a form of protest, but Wottle later apologized at the news conference following the medals ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=David |date=June 24, 2012 |title=Memories fresh of day Wottle shocked the world |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/sports/2012/06/24/Memories-fresh-of-day-Wottle-shocked-world.html |work=[[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)|The Blade]] |location=Toledo, OH |access-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416141701/http://www.toledoblade.com/sports/2012/06/24/Memories-fresh-of-day-Wottle-shocked-world.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Wottle also competed in the [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metres|1500 meter run]] at the Munich Olympics. He had finished second in the US Olympic Trials behind [[Jim Ryun]] (3:41.5 to 3:42.3). He was eliminated in the 1,500-metre semi-finals at the Olympics. Track & Field News ranked him 1st in their 1972 world rankings for 800 metres.

His signature cap was originally used for practical purposes. He sported long hair at the peak of his career, so the hat kept his hair out of his face. After realizing the cap was part of his identity and for good luck, he wore it for the remainder of his career.<ref name="capguy" />

===Post-Olympics===
At the 1973 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Wottle won the mile run in a time of 3:57.1. He earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] in [[History]] from [[Bowling Green State University]] in 1973.<ref name="bgsumgolfcap" /><ref name="dwrhodescollege">{{Cite web |title=Dave Wottle |url=http://www.rhodes.edu/admission/1612.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629115233/http://www.rhodes.edu/admission/1612.asp |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |website=[[Rhodes College]]}}</ref>

In June 1973, Wottle and 1972 U.S. Olympic teammate [[Steve Prefontaine]] (5000M) raced each other in the mile at a meet at the [[University of Oregon]]. Wottle defeated Prefontaine on his home track, running 3:53.3, which was the 3rd fastest mile in history at the time. Prefontaine ran 3:54.6, the 9th fastest mile at the time. Only world record holder [[Jim Ryun]] (3:51.1) and [[Kip Keino]] (3:53.1) had run the mile faster than Wottle.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 1973 |title=3:53.3 By Wottle Beats Prefontaine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/21/archives/3533-by-wottle-beats-prefontaine-wottle-winner-as-six-beat-400.html |work=The New York Times |location=Eugene, OR |page=47 |publication-place=New York |agency=Associated Press |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914080434/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/21/archives/3533-by-wottle-beats-prefontaine-wottle-winner-as-six-beat-400.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After the race, a fan attempted to run off with Wottle's signature golf cap, but he chased the thief outside the stadium and retrieved his cap.<ref name="BringBacktheMile" />

Wottle finished second to [[Rick Wohlhuter]] in the 1973 AAU 880 yards clocking 1:45.4 at 800 metres. His fastest 800 metre time of the year was 1:45.3 winning a race in Helsinki. He also ran 3:36.2 finishing second behind [[Filbert Bayi]] in a fast 1,500-meter race race in Helsinki in June. ''[[Track & Field News]]'' ranked him 4th in their 1973 world rankings for 1,500 metres and 7th at 800 metres.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nelson |first=Cordner |title=The Milers |last2=Quercentani |first2=Roberto |year=1985}}{{full citation needed|date=August 2024}}</ref>

==Professional career in athletics==
{{BLP unsourced section|date=August 2024}}
Wottle turned professional in 1974, but retired from competitive running quite soon after that. Later, he became a college track coach at [[Walsh University|Walsh College]] (Ohio) (1975–77) and [[Bethany College (West Virginia)|Bethany College]] (West Virginia) where he also served as Director of Admissions (1977–81).

==Career after athletics==
Wottle was the track coach and Admissions Director at Bethany (WV) College in the late '70s and early '80s, and he served as an administrator at [[Rhodes College]] from August 1983 until his retirement in June 2012. He was Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for 28 years before spending his final year at the school as the Special Assistant to the President.<ref name="dwrhodescollege" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2012 |title=Dave Wottle To Be Recognized For Service To College and Olympic Win |url=http://www.rhodes.edu/news/24746.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503214152/http://rhodes.edu/news/24746.asp |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |website=Rhodes College}}</ref> He then served as the Interim Vice-President for Enrollment Management at [[Millsaps College]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Wottle |url=http://www.millsaps.edu/admissions/admissions_staff_dave_wottle.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204113702/http://millsaps.edu/admissions/admissions_staff_dave_wottle.php |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |website=Millsaps College}}</ref>  From September 2013 to April 2014, Wottle was the interim Vice President for Enrollment at [[Ohio Wesleyan University]] in [[Delaware, Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2013 |title=Interim Vice President for Enrollment |work=OWU Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wottle |first=Dave |date=Spring 2014 |title=Running for Gold |url=http://blogs.owu.edu/magazine/running-for-gold/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506130816/http://blogs.owu.edu/magazine/running-for-gold/ |archive-date=May 6, 2014 |magazine=OWU Magazine}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
*[[Bowling Green State University]] inducted Wottle into its Hall of Fame in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Wottle (1978) |url=https://bgsufalcons.com/honors/hall-of-fame/dave-wottle/204 |website=Bowling Green State University Athletics |department=Hall of Fame |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914080438/https://bgsufalcons.com/honors/hall-of-fame/dave-wottle/204 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Wottle was inducted into the [[USA Track and Field]] Hall of Fame in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Wottle |url=http://legacy.usatf.org/HallOfFame/TF/showBio.asp?HOFIDs=189 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526171508/http://legacy.usatf.org/HallOfFame/TF/showBio.asp?HOFIDs=189 |archive-date=2021-05-26 |website=USATF |department=Hall of Fame}}</ref>
*In 1990, the [[Mid American Conference]] inducted Wottle into their Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Wottle (1990) - Hall of Fame |url=https://getsomemaction.com/hof.aspx?hof=61 |website=getsomemaction.com |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914080435/https://getsomemaction.com/hof.aspx?hof=61 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*In 2016, Wottle was inducted by the Ohio High School State Athletic Association into their Circle of Champions.<ref name="GalionInquirer_2016" />

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313125515/http://www.olympic-usa.org/CFDOCS/Munich/feature_wottle.cfm |date=March 13, 2007 |title=Dave Wottle – The man with the hat and the Olympic gold medal by Jake Fehling }}
* {{YouTube|5LHid-nC45k|1972 Olympic 800m Final}}
* {{USATF Hall of Fame}}
* {{Olympics.com profile}}
* {{Olympedia}}

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{{succession box|before={{flagicon|NZL}} [[Peter Snell]]|title=[[World record progression 800 metres|Men's 800 metres World Record Holder]]<br><small>equalled time of [[Peter Snell]] and [[Ralph Doubell]]</small>|years=1972-07-01 – 1973-06-27|after={{flagicon|ITA}} [[Marcello Fiasconaro]]}}
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[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male middle-distance runners]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1972 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Bowling Green Falcons men's track and field athletes]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in track and field]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Canton, Ohio]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1972 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners]]
[[Category:NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships winners]]
[[Category:Track and field athletes from Ohio]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]