Mike Conley Sr. continues to make a big impact in the sport of track and field – previously as a standout track and field athlete, and now in the administrative role for USATF.
During his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, the standout jumper accomplished many great things and elevated the jumps. During his sophomore year in 1983 at the University of Arkansas, he won his first national title in the indoor track and field season, as he finished victorious in the triple jump. From there, his reign of dominance only began to grow.
He made the world championship team seven times in his career (two indoor championships, five outdoor championships) and tallied seven medals in his illustrious career. In 1984, he became the first athlete in collegiate history to win NCAA titles in the triple jump and the long jump at the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA Track and Field Championships. He took home the bronze medal in the triple jump at the 1984 Olympic Games that were held in Los Angeles.
He was rewarded for his amazing contributions last month with his induction into the College Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame. Among those in attendance at the awards ceremony that was held in Eugene, Oregon ahead of the Prefontaine Classic was his son, NBA All-Star and current point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mike Conley Jr.
The opportunity to see his father inducted into the College Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame is something that filled him with a tremendous amount of pride.
“It’s truly remarkable, honestly,” he said. “Me being his son, I couldn’t be more proud of the things that he accomplished. I think he really kind of paved the way for a lot of the people that we see today in the sport of track and field, and he helped to put it on the map and helped it continue to grow. So I’m just happy for him, I’m happy he’s able to enjoy it with his family and be inducted with all of these great hall of fame people.”
Conley Sr.’s athletic genes were certainly passed down to Conley Jr., as he has proven to be one of the best and most consistent point guards in the NBA since he came in the league in 2007. Conley Jr. played his collegiate basketball for The Ohio State University and was a first round draft pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. He was selected to the NBA All-Star team in 2021, and was a member of the NBA’s All-Defensive team in 2013. He’s also won the NBA Sportsmanship Award four times in his career, with his most recent win being this year.
Despite the athletic ability that runs in the family, some of the biggest lessons that Conley Sr. has taught his son is beyond the basketball court. Those lessons have paid dividends for him on the basketball court and off the basketball court as well.
“Honestly, No. 1 is to always be a thinker,” he said. “Whenever something is going on, think through the situation before you act. It really has allowed me to stay grounded, observe a lot of different situations and get through them unscathed. Time management, being patient, being responsible – all the life lessons that he’s taught me growing up as a father and an athlete have paid off a lot for me.”
Unbeknownst to some, Conley Sr. was no stranger to exciting performances on the hardwood as well, as he competed against some of the best athletes in the world from various sports in a dunk contest back in 1992. His dunks excited the crowd in attendance, as they were treated to an impressive display as he ran across the whole court, jumped from behind the free throw line and flushed the ball through the net, which he followed later in the competition with a 360 jam and a super reverse slam.
While he wasn’t an NBA All-Star like his son, he’s still one of the best athletes in track and field history. On any given day, if you ask Conley Jr. who was the better athlete in his prime, he’d give himself the advantage over his dad. But with great humility and kindness, he gave the nod to his dad on his special day.
“Since this is about him, I would have to say him,” he said with a smile. “But if you caught me on another day, I would have to say myself.”
