ORLANDO, Fla. (March 13, 2024 |  AAUSports.Org)  Caleb White is a renowned name in the world of Track and Field. With a legacy that spans five decades as a track and field trainer, coach, mentor, and clinician. His efforts and dedication towards building the sport have been recognized.

Caleb White will be joining the Bob Hayes Hall of Fame Class of 2024. White currently serves as the AAU District Sports Director of Track and Field for Florida. He will be joining Arman “Gino” Hall, Tony McQuay, Jearl Miles Clark, Torrin Lawrence, and Kendal Ellis in the class of 2024. Inductees will be honored at the Bob Hayes Hall of Fame Gala on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Bob Hayes Invitation Track Meet and Bob Hayes Hall of Fame, located in Jacksonville, Florida, were created in honor of Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes. Hayes is perhaps the most well-known athlete to come out of Jacksonville. After winning three straight AAU Championships in the 100 yard dash, Hayes came to the world’s attention in 1964 after earning two gold medals in the 1964 Olympics. He would also excel on the football field. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, Hayes went on to win a Super Bowl, becoming the only person to win Olympic gold and a Super Bowl ring.

Inductees of the Bob Hayes Hall of Fame have made a mark on their sports much like Bullet Bob did. They have given their life to track and field and have taken the sport to new heights.

Since taking over as AAU’s District Sport Director of Youth Track & Field for Florida Region 9, the district has continued to grow. Under his supervision they ranked first in the nation in membership and licensed events in 2023. During the national convention ceremony, he was honored with the AAU Col. Tooke’s Award for Service and as a Life Member.

Caleb White’s accomplishments in Track and Field are highlighted by his coaching efforts. With a remarkable coaching record, he has guided nearly 200 individual athletes and relay teams to earn All-American honors. Coach Caleb is the founder and President of the Young Achievers Sprint Club, Inc. (YASC). Since 1987, the nonprofit organization has served youth ages six to eighteen. Alumnae include Dannette Young (4x100m Relay Gold Medalist 1988, Seoul), Jearl Miles-Clark, and Sanya Richards-Ross.

He’s recognized for his keen ability to spot and cultivate talent. Coach Caleb is in an elite class having trained an Olympic gold-medalist, three athletes to hold American records, athletes to compete in 5 Olympic Games since 1988, three age group national records for YASC, and placing over 200 athletes into major college and university scholarship programs across the country.  His goal is to ensure every Young Achiever reaches their potential on and off the track.

In 1989, White joined the Sprint/Hurdles Biomechanics Team for 8 years under Ralph Mann, leading workshops and making performance recommendations for elite athletes like Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Maurice Greene. He served as sprint coach for the U.S. Olympic Sports Festival Women’s South Team in 1990 and went on to become Head Coach in 1994.  In 1991, Coach Caleb was the head coach of a powerhouse USA Women’s team that included Vonetta Flowers, Jearl Miles-Clark, Dannette Young, Chryste Gaines and others in two nationally televised competitions against Cuba and Russia. He was also elected and served two terms as Chairperson on the board of directors of the U.S. Women’s Track Coaches Association from 1992-93 and 1996-97.

White served as Reebok’s sprint consultant for the 1996 USA Olympic Team in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing together international sprinters and hurdlers Ato Boldon, Kim Batten and Gold Medalists Derrick Adkins, Jearl Miles-Clark, Marie-Jose Parec and Jason Rouser. He was also awarded as an Honorary Georgia Citizen by the Secretary of State leading into the games. 

White lettered in track & field as a sprinter, long jumper, shot putter, and javelin thrower while at Alabama A&M University. He also helped coach the program for 31 years before retiring in 2004. He has consulted and scouted for Reebok, Fila, and Saucony. He has coached US Olympians.

Caleb White’s life has revolved around the sport his whole life. We can think of no better person to be inducted into the Bob Hayes Hall of Fame. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do for AAU Track and Field and the sport itself.