Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Lamb*, E. Morton
E. Morton Lamb*
- Induction:
- 1998
- Class:
- 1931
The saying that records are made to be broken isn't necessarily true. In some cases it should read that records are made to be adjusted. Mort Lamb set a mark in 1931 that has to be adjusted in order to give the record the justice it deserves by today's standards.
On a cinder track in 1931, Lamb ran a 9.8 in the 100 yard dash, an unbelievable time by anyone's standards. Today, sprinters run 100 meters, which is about 10 feet longer than distance Lamb ran in the 1930’s. Today’s current sprinters have conditions that are unquestionably an advantage. The tracks have evolved from dirt and cinder to smooth rubber surfaces and the evolution of shoes goes without saying.
Lamb’s speed knew no bounds as he went undefeated in 11 straight dual meets in both the 100 yard dash and the 220-yard dash. His winning streak included 22 consecutive races during all or parts of three seasons.
“I always loved to run,” Lamb said. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an honor I never expected. I really appreciate being recognized for simply doing something I loved.”
One of his crowning achievements came on April 16, 1931 at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. An unheralded sprinter from a small engineering school, Lamb earned an invitation to run in the 100-Yard Special Sprint by going undefeated through all of 1930’s dual meets. Lamb entered the race (known today as a Championship of America event) of the nation's best from 14 colleges without much notice and crossed the finish line first. Lamb remained the only Lehigh athlete, male or female, to win a prestigious Championship of America Event at the Penn Relays until Courtney Avery won the high jump in 2016 and 2017.
“My athletic career meant a lot to me,” Lamb said. “That race at the Penn Relays in 1931 was undoubtedly a highlight. His victory in the Special Sprint was astounding as one of the sprinters included the 1931 national collegiate indoor champion in the 100-yard dash.
“I'm very anxious to come back to Lehigh for the ceremony,” Lamb said of his induction. “I have many fond memories of my time there and I am sure I'll be pleased at the way the school has grown and evolved in its own right.”
A native of rural Natalie, Pennsylvania, Lamb graduated from Lehigh in 1931 with a degree in mining engineering. He retired after serving with Rohm Haas Chemical Co. Lamb passed away in 2006 and was married to Jeanette Lamb. They had a son, Morton, and two daughters, Janet and Elizabeth.
On a cinder track in 1931, Lamb ran a 9.8 in the 100 yard dash, an unbelievable time by anyone's standards. Today, sprinters run 100 meters, which is about 10 feet longer than distance Lamb ran in the 1930’s. Today’s current sprinters have conditions that are unquestionably an advantage. The tracks have evolved from dirt and cinder to smooth rubber surfaces and the evolution of shoes goes without saying.
Lamb’s speed knew no bounds as he went undefeated in 11 straight dual meets in both the 100 yard dash and the 220-yard dash. His winning streak included 22 consecutive races during all or parts of three seasons.
“I always loved to run,” Lamb said. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an honor I never expected. I really appreciate being recognized for simply doing something I loved.”
One of his crowning achievements came on April 16, 1931 at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. An unheralded sprinter from a small engineering school, Lamb earned an invitation to run in the 100-Yard Special Sprint by going undefeated through all of 1930’s dual meets. Lamb entered the race (known today as a Championship of America event) of the nation's best from 14 colleges without much notice and crossed the finish line first. Lamb remained the only Lehigh athlete, male or female, to win a prestigious Championship of America Event at the Penn Relays until Courtney Avery won the high jump in 2016 and 2017.
“My athletic career meant a lot to me,” Lamb said. “That race at the Penn Relays in 1931 was undoubtedly a highlight. His victory in the Special Sprint was astounding as one of the sprinters included the 1931 national collegiate indoor champion in the 100-yard dash.
“I'm very anxious to come back to Lehigh for the ceremony,” Lamb said of his induction. “I have many fond memories of my time there and I am sure I'll be pleased at the way the school has grown and evolved in its own right.”
A native of rural Natalie, Pennsylvania, Lamb graduated from Lehigh in 1931 with a degree in mining engineering. He retired after serving with Rohm Haas Chemical Co. Lamb passed away in 2006 and was married to Jeanette Lamb. They had a son, Morton, and two daughters, Janet and Elizabeth.
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