The “Speed City” Documentary – We Need your Help

Bud Winter coached at San Jose State University from 1944 – 1974 and was responsible for the legendary “Speed City” in the mid 1960’s.

In total, he produced 1 NCAA Championship, 49 NCAA records, and 27 Olympians including including Tommie Smith, Lee Evans, John Carlos, and Ronnie Ray Smith, just to name a few. He also coached Greece’s Chris Papanicolaou, the first man to pole vault 18 feet.

The documentary "Speed City" is currently in pre-production, and the producer John Stallcup is looking for any still photos, films or stories on the "Speed City" athletes in action including Ray Norton and Bob Poynter from 1960, Dennis Johnson from 1964 or the even better known athletes such as Evans, Smith, and Carlos.

The documentary will focus on the athletic accomplishments of the the sprinters of "Speed City", their remarkable Coach Bud Winter and his coaching methods as well as the differences in equipment and support they had during their time. 

As well, it will include the technological advancements that have helped to improve sprint performance today, such as shoes, clothes, track, nutrition, and money.

We are also looking for a pair of the infamous Puma "Brush Spikes" that both Lee Evans and John Carlos wore at the 1968 US Olympic Trials and broke World Records wearing them. For those who remember, the records were disallowed because the International governing body at the time disapproved of the shoes.

Anyone who can help can contact me directly at jimson@speedendurance.com

I will send more info on the official release of the documentary.  I am definitely looking forward to it.