Deon Minor
Encyclopedia
Deon Minor is an American
former track and field
athlete who specialized in the 400 meter dash. He won two consecutive gold medal
s in the relay at the IAAF World Indoor Championships from 1997 to 1999, setting a world record mark of 3:02.83 minutes in the latter competition.
and his first international success came in 1991 when he won the 400 m title at the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
. He chose to attended Baylor University
in 1992 on an athletic scholarship
in the knowledge of the athletic programs strength in the 400 m under coach Clyde Hart
. During his time at the college he earned 14 All-American honours and won four NCAA titles.
He was the 400 m NCAA Indoor
champion in 1992 and 1995. He twice shared in the NCAA 4×400-meter relay title with his Baylor teammates, winning indoors in 1992 and outdoors in 1995. He set a personal record of 44.75 seconds in Austin, Texas
in June 1992 and went on to take the world junior title in Seoul
later that year, winning the 400 m at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Athletics
.
After graduating in 1995, he continued to focus on track and aimed to qualify for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, at the United States Olympic Trials
he was eliminated in the semi-finals. He finished in the top three at the 1997 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
and was selected for the 1997 IAAF World Indoor Championships
. He came fourth in his 400 m semi-final at the worlds, being eliminated before the final, but anchored the US men's relay team (with Jason Rouser
, Mark Everett
, and Sean Maye) to the gold medal
in a time of 3:04.93 minutes.
He came third at the 1999 national indoor championships behind Angelo Taylor
and Milton Campbell
, again earning qualification to the global championships. At the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships
, he was again eliminated in the 400 m semi-finals. The American relay team (Andre Morris, Dameon Johnson, Minor and Campbell) repeated their gold medal of two years earlier but this time set a world record for the relay, taking the victory in a time of 3:02.83 minutes. Minor competed at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
in the summer and took sixth place in the 400 m final. In his final year at the top level of track and field, he ran at the 2000 Olympic Track Trials, but he finished sixth in the heats stage.
His world record relay mark was beaten in 2006 by a team of Kerron Clement
, Wallace Spearmon
, Darold Williamson
and Jeremy Wariner
. However, their mark of 3:01.96 minutes was never ratified as an official world record as no post-race EPO
test was conducted, meaning that Minor's time remained the official world record.
fraternity while at Baylor. He now works as the Client Manager for Ultimate Performance, an athlete representation company founded by Michael Johnson
. He has a son, Bradley Deon Minor II, with his wife Claudia Minor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete who specialized in the 400 meter dash. He won two consecutive gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
s in the relay at the IAAF World Indoor Championships from 1997 to 1999, setting a world record mark of 3:02.83 minutes in the latter competition.
Career
Minor grew up in Paris, TexasParis, Texas
Paris, Texas is a city located northeast of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex in Lamar County, Texas, in the United States. It is situated in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the Piney Woods. Physiographically, these regions are part of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. In 1900, 9,358 people lived...
and his first international success came in 1991 when he won the 400 m title at the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
The Pan American Junior Athletics Championships are a biennial sports event for track and field athletes from the Americas. They were first held in 1980. The IAAF defines Junior as athletes who are 19 years of age or under.-Summary of Championships:...
. He chose to attended Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in 1992 on an athletic scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
in the knowledge of the athletic programs strength in the 400 m under coach Clyde Hart
Clyde Hart
Clyde Hart is the director of track and field at Baylor University. Hart retired as head coach for the Baylor track program on June 14, 2005 after 42 years with the program....
. During his time at the college he earned 14 All-American honours and won four NCAA titles.
He was the 400 m NCAA Indoor
NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA team champions for Men's Indoor Track and Field-See also:*NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*Pre-NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions...
champion in 1992 and 1995. He twice shared in the NCAA 4×400-meter relay title with his Baylor teammates, winning indoors in 1992 and outdoors in 1995. He set a personal record of 44.75 seconds in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in June 1992 and went on to take the world junior title in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
later that year, winning the 400 m at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Athletics
1992 World Junior Championships in Athletics
The 1992 World Junior Championships in Athletics was the fourth edition of the international athletics competition for athletes aged 19 years or under. It was held in Seoul, South Korea from September 16 to September 20, 1992.-Men:-Women:-Medal table:...
.
After graduating in 1995, he continued to focus on track and aimed to qualify for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, at the United States Olympic Trials
United States Olympic Trials (track and field)
The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
he was eliminated in the semi-finals. He finished in the top three at the 1997 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
The USA Indoor Track and Field Championships is an annual indoor track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, which serves as the American national championships for the sport...
and was selected for the 1997 IAAF World Indoor Championships
1997 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 6th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, France from March 7 to March 9, 1997. It was the first athletic championships to introduce women's pole vault...
. He came fourth in his 400 m semi-final at the worlds, being eliminated before the final, but anchored the US men's relay team (with Jason Rouser
Jason Rouser
Jason Rouser is a retired American sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres.At the 1993 World Indoor Championships he finished sixth in the 400 metres and won a gold medal in 4 x 400 metres relay...
, Mark Everett
Mark Everett (athlete)
David Mark Everett is a former American college and international middle-distance runner who won the bronze medal in the 800-meter event at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo. The following year, Everett finished second in the US Olympic Trials in New Orleans behind Johnny Gray...
, and Sean Maye) to the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in a time of 3:04.93 minutes.
He came third at the 1999 national indoor championships behind Angelo Taylor
Angelo Taylor
Angelo F. Taylor is an American athlete, winner of 400 m hurdles at the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics....
and Milton Campbell
Milton Campbell
Milton Campbell is a former track and field athlete from the United States who mainly competes in the 400 metres.His success comes during the indoor season...
, again earning qualification to the global championships. At the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships
1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 7th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held in the Green Dome Maebashi stadium in Maebashi, Japan from March 5 to March 7, 1999. It was the first time the Championships were staged outside Europe or North America. Primo Nebiolo, president of the IAAF, characterized the...
, he was again eliminated in the 400 m semi-finals. The American relay team (Andre Morris, Dameon Johnson, Minor and Campbell) repeated their gold medal of two years earlier but this time set a world record for the relay, taking the victory in a time of 3:02.83 minutes. Minor competed at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships is an annual track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, which serves as the American national championships for the sport...
in the summer and took sixth place in the 400 m final. In his final year at the top level of track and field, he ran at the 2000 Olympic Track Trials, but he finished sixth in the heats stage.
His world record relay mark was beaten in 2006 by a team of Kerron Clement
Kerron Clement
Kerron Stephon Clement is Trinidadian-born track and field athlete who represents the United States and specializes in the 400-meter hurdles...
, Wallace Spearmon
Wallace Spearmon
Wallace Spearmon, Jr., is a sprint athlete, who specializes in the 200 meters. He is a two-time NCAA outdoor champion in the 200 m and won the silver medal in the event at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics...
, Darold Williamson
Darold Williamson
Darold Williamson is an American track athlete.He ran the anchor leg on the gold medal winning 4x400 meter relay team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. He is 2005 graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he won the Big 12 Conference championship in the 400 meter run three years in...
and Jeremy Wariner
Jeremy Wariner
Jeremy Mathew Wariner is an American track athlete specializing in the 400 meters. He has won four Olympic medals and six World Championships medals...
. However, their mark of 3:01.96 minutes was never ratified as an official world record as no post-race EPO
EPO
-Organizations:*EPO Gaming An Entertainment Poker Company based out of Austin, TX*EPO , a Belgian publishing company*European Patent Organisation or its main organ the European Patent Office, a public international organisation...
test was conducted, meaning that Minor's time remained the official world record.
Personal life
He joined the Kappa Alpha PsiKappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin...
fraternity while at Baylor. He now works as the Client Manager for Ultimate Performance, an athlete representation company founded by Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson (athlete)
Michael Duane Johnson is a retired American sprinter. He won four Olympic gold medals and eight world championship gold medals. Johnson currently holds the world and Olympic records in the 400 m and 4 x 400 meters relay. He formerly held the world and Olympic record in the 200 m, and the world...
. He has a son, Bradley Deon Minor II, with his wife Claudia Minor.