Dave Sime

During an injury-plagued career, Duke’s Dave Sime never won a major championship, but was undoubtedly one of the fastest sprinters of his time. He equalled the world record of 9.3 for 100y three times, set world records of 20.1 and 20.0 for 220y straight, and set the world record of 22.2 for the 220y hurdles. After a poor start in the 1960 Olympic 100 metre final, Dave Sime narrowly failed to catch world record holder, Armin Hary of West Germany, at the tape. He also ran a great anchor leg in the relay to make up a two meter-deficit on the West Germans, but although Sime broke the tape in a world record time, the Americans were disqualified for a faulty change-over on the first pass.

Sime came to Duke on a baseball scholarship, and only took up track for “something to do.” While he was in medical school at Duke, he played one year of football (American) as a wide receiver. Despite his lack of experience, he was a 29th round pick in the 1959 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

After graduation, Sime turned down pro baseball offers in order to attend Duke Medical School. He did his residency at the Bascon-Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, and became a practicing ophthalmologist in Miami. He made headlines in the 1970s for his successful treatment of Miami Dolphins quarterback, Bob Griese, for some vision problems, and Sime numbered among his celebrity clients Mickey Mantle, Don Shula, and Jim Murray. His grandson, Christian McCaffrey, later became a top running back in the NFL.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.3 (1956); 100 – 10.1 (1960); 200 – 20.8 (1960); 220y – 20.0s (1956); 220yH – 22.2 (1956); LJ – 23-6 (7.16) (1956).