Harry_Schaaf

Harry Schaaf

Harry Schaaf

American track and field athlete

Henry "Harry" Schaaf was an American track and field athlete, a member of the Irish American Athletic Club, and a Police Officer in the New York City Police Department.[1] He served as a patrolman from 1912 until his retirement in 1943.[2]

Harry Schaaf, wearing the Winged Fist of the Irish American Athletic Club, 1911.

On April 9, 1911,[3] Schaaf was a member of the Irish American Athletic Club 4x440 yard relay team that broke the world record at Celtic Park, Queens, New York, and set the first IAAF- recognized world's record for 4x440 yard or 4x400 meter relay race, with a time of 3 minutes and 18.2 seconds. The other members of the world's record setting team were; Harry Gissing, Mel Sheppard and James Rosenberger.[4]

Notes

  1. [1]
    New York Times, January 27, 1920.
  2. [2]
    New York Times, June 15, 1943.
  3. [3]
    Del's Athletic Almanac
  4. [4]
    Annual Track & Field Dinner Journal, Irish American Athletic Club, 1911.


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