Spearmon at the start of Arkansas' success

Spearmon is a familiar name on the Arkansas campus – for more reasons than one. Sure, everyone remembers Wallace, Jr.’s domination of the 200 meters while he donned the Cardinal and White but it was his dad, Wallace Sr., who was at the forefront of Arkansas’ NCAA track and field success that has spanned nearly three decades.

Competing in events ranging from 55 meters to the 400-meter leg of the distance medley relay, Spearmon’s efforts are etched in the Arkansas record book in numerous events.

Spearmon was a two-time All-American and was a part of the first national championship team in 1984 as a sprinter. He earned All-America accolades for the 1984 4×100-meter relay that place fifth with a time of 39.61. He followed that up with an All-American honor as the 400-meter leg of the 1985 distance medley relay that earned a runner-up finish with a time of 9:39.7.

During Spearmon’s tenure at Arkansas, he was part of two NCAA Indoor (1984, 1985), one NCAA Outdoor (1985), four Southwest Conference Indoor (1982-85) and four SWC Indoor (1982-85) Championship teams. He was also part of Arkansas’ first NCAA Triple Crown (winning NCAA cross country indoor and outdoor championships in the same season).

Spearmon remains the school record holder as a member of the 4×100-meter relay (38.81, 1985 SWC Championships) and the 4×200-meter relay (1:20.93, 1985 Texas Relays).

He was also a two-time SWC Champion, first as a member of the 1985 distance medley relay that clocked a time of 10:03.39 with Spearmon as the 400-meter leg. He followed that up as a member of the 1985 champion 4×100-meter relay that clocked the school-record time of 38.81.

On Arkansas’ top-10 all-time lists, Spearmon ranks No. 7 in the 55 meters (6.30, 1985), No. 5 in the 100 meters (10.23, 1985), No. 5 in the outdoor 200 meters (20.36, 1984) and No. 2 as a member of the sprint medley relay (3:15.10, 1983).

As a member of the 4×100-meter relay, Spearmon ranks No. 1 (38.81, 1985), No. 6 (39.55, 1984) and No. 9 (39.71, 1984). As a member of the 4×200-meter relay, he ranks No. 1 (1:20.93, 1985), No. 2 (1:22.20, 1984) and No. 5 (1:22.58, 1984).

On the international level, he was a 200-meter bronze medalist at the 1986 Goodwill Games and 1987 Pan American Games. He competed for Team USA at the 1987 World Outdoor Championships in Rome, Italy.

Now retired from competition, Spearmon continues to live and train professional athletes in Fayetteville. Under Spearmon, Sr.’s tutelage, Spearmon, Jr. had a successful 2008 campaign that included some of the world’s fastest 100- and 200-meter times and culminated in a trip to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Spearmon, Sr. received his bachelor’s degree in vocational education in May 1996.

The University of Arkansas’ Athletic Department recognizes its heritage and the countless contributions made by African-American student-athletes in all 19 of its varsity sports. The Razorbacks are proud to celebrate this great tradition and recognize some of the inspiring pioneers, great student-athletes and outstanding role models that have worn a Razorback uniform as a part of Black History Month.