On July 25, 2020 brothers of Theta Omega Chapter participated with family and friends in the dedication of the Jim Green Landmark at 280 East Broadway Street in Eminence, KY.
The event was organized and administered by Mayor Stephens of Eminence, KY. Mayor Stephens dedicated the landmark and Eminence Public School Superintendent Mr. Berry, lionized Brother Green for the accomplishment he made while participating in four sports in high school. Mr. Stephens and Mr. Berry emphasized the positive impact that Brother Green aka Son of Eminence still has with the community.
The event recognized Brother Green for his athletic prowess in track and field during the late 60s and 70s. Brother Green’s accomplishment were achieved against a backdrop of racial and civil challenges. As a young man Brother Green trained on railroad tracks growing up and now the tracks have been replaced by a cement walkway that will serve as the 2-mile walking trail.
In the summer of 1968 Brother Green was on track to become a part of the USA Olympic Track Team but a hamstring injury sidelined him. In the Fall of 1968, Brother Green took his talents to the University of Kentucky to run track. By the end of his career at UK in 1971, Brother Green had won three NCAA titles, eight SEC titles, was a six-time All-American, ranked as the fastest human in the world and broken UK and SEC records. In addition Brother Green made star athlete OJ Simpson and Olympic Bronze medalist John Carlos "Eat His Dust" which was his coined slogan. Brother Green was also the first black student-athlete to graduate from University of Kentucky. Three of his times still remain in the top 10 in UK’s record books.
Based on the accomplishments of Bro. Green's illustrious track career, Bro. Green has been inducted into these the Hall of Fame’s:
The Eminence High School Hall of Fame
Dawahare’s’ Kentucky High School Hall of Fame
Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Kentucky Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Mason-Dixon Games Hall of Fame
Kentucky Black Athletic Hall of Fame
University of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
Here are some quotes from Brother Green about his recruitment to UK:
“Without Coach Whelan none of this would be in fruition,” Green said. “He was the guy who came down to my home town of Eminence and recruited a little, skinny black guy to come to UK when everybody else was afraid to have black athletes.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Green Said. “Whelan told me, ‘It’s not going to be easy.’ You’re going to go through some trials and tribulations. You’re going to be called a lot of names. People ain’t going to like you. People are going to tell you to ‘go home, you don’t belong here,’ but we just had the will to win and stayed there.”
Brother Green is a true image of the Omega Psi Phi Four Cardinal Principles (Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift).
The Brothers of Theta Omega want to extend our congratulations to our living legend Brother Jim Green.
Some facts about Brother Green.
Start of the walking trail
Likeness of Brother Green by an 8th Grade Student