ROGER SAYERS
Given our space-crazed nation’s obsession with rockets in the 1960s, Roger Sayers picked a great time to make a name for himself. Sayers — nicknamed the “Rocket” — while at then-Omaha University was among the United States’ premier speedsters. In 1962, Sayers defeated eventual world-record holder Bob Hayes of Florida A&M in the 100-yard dash, winning the NAIA championship in 9.5 seconds. Sayers won the 100-yard title again in 1963 while adding the 200-yard title. The Rocket, brother of NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, later would compete for the U.S. National track team in duals against Poland and the Soviet Union. He was headed for a rematch with Hayes in the 1964 U.S. Olympic Trials but was sidelined by injury. Hayes went on to capture the Olympic gold medal.