Elliott, "Jumbo" (James F.)
Track and field
b. Aug. 8, 1915, Philadelphia
d. March 22, 1981
As a student at Villanova University, Elliott ran in the 220-, 440-, and 880-yard events. He graduated in 1935 and became the school's part-time track coach while working for a company that sold contracting equipment.
Elliott was best known for developing outstanding distance runners, including Ron Delaney, Marty Liquori, Eamonn Coghlan, and Sydney Maree. In 47 years of coaching, he produced 22 Olympians, including five gold medalists; 33 NCAA individual champions; and the winners of 203 IC4A titles.
Villanova won the NCAA outdoor team championship in 1957 and indoor titles in 1968 and 1971. Elliott retired shortly before his death in 1981.