Emil Breitkreutz

As an engineering graduate student at Southern Cal, Emil Breitkreutz was, as he subsequently admitted, more interested in the engineering exhibits at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair than in the Olympic program – which was held concurrently. However, representing the Milwaukee AC, he performed creditably in the 800m, and after leading the field at the half-way mark in an adventurous 53.0, he faded badly in the closing stages but hung on to take third place. In 1907 Breitkreutz served as the first head basketball coach at Southern Cal. He went on to an active career as a sports administrator, serving as an AAU official in track & field and on the AAU volleyball committee as chairman.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:56.3 (1904).