SJSU Legend John Powell Passes at 75

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San José State legend John Powell passed away on August 18 after a long illness. Powell is the only four-time Olympian from Spartans track & field, earning two bronze medals in discuss (1976 and 1984) and narrowly missing out on the podium with a fourth place finish in 1972. At SJSU, Powell was part of the 1969 National Championship team. 

Powell graduated from SJSU and worked for the San Jose Police Department for seven years before leaving to focus on his throwing career. His career would be one of the best of any discuss thrower. He set the world record in the event on May 4, 1975 when he achieved a mark of 69.08 meters. His all-time best of 71.28 meters places him ninth all-time.

Powell was inducted into the USATF Hall of Fame in 2019. He was a seven-time national champion and won the 1984 Olympic Trials as well as earned a gold at the 1985 Pan American Games.

Powell is survived by his wife Wally Powell, his daughter Julie Powell, and grandchildren Maddie and Tyler McGivern. His daughter Tammy Powell McGivern died in 2021.