Feb. 24-25, 2007

When Soviet tanks rolled into Afghanistan in 1979, then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter made a decision that shocked and stunned many, especially former OSU track star Stephanie Hightower. Hightower, who was a member of the U.S. Track and Field squad, was ready to compete in her first Olympic Games. However, President Carter instead boycotted the U.S. team from competing at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, leaving Hightower and the rest of her teammates only able to watch the games from home.

"It was devastating to say the least," recalls Hightower. "To work so hard and train for over three years to get there, I was ready to go. And then being told I had to wait another four years was extremely hard."

Yet now, reminiscing 26 years later, Hightower is able to find the positive out of the unfortunate situation.

"I was angry, but now from a different perspective I realize I grew so much as a person from that missed opportunity," said Hightower. "I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and it made me re-focus for the next Olympics."

Hightower was later picked as an alternate for the 1984 Olympics and despite not winning a medal there, she gained something even more valuable. Through those years, Hightower realized her passion to advocate equality and equity as a track athlete that would soon evolve into a successful professional career.

Hightower's path to one of the most renowned track athletes began in Germany, where her father was stationed during her childhood days. It was there that Hightower realized that she could run faster than the neighborhood boys. With her family eventually settling in Louisville, Ky., she decided to specialize in hurdling as a member of her high school track team. Soon scholarship offers began to pour in from several top colleges, yet Hightower was only looking at one school - Tennessee State.

It was there that under the tutelage of head coach Ed Temple, track standouts Wilma Rudolph, Mae Faggs, Wyomia Tyus and Edith McGuire had garnered national recognition as one of the top track and field programs in the country. Temple had guided his TSU teams to 13 outdoor titles and six indoor national titles during his tenure.

"My ultimate goal was to be a Tigerbelle," said Hightower. "We joke about it now, but at that time Ed said I was too slow, so I started looking elsewhere."

It was then that her uncle, Paul Warfield, suggested his alma mater, Ohio State. Warfield had been a member of the OSU football squad, as well as a sprinter on the track team. He earned All-Big Ten honors as a halfback and later played professionally for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.

"I took a chance when I decided on Ohio State," said Hightower. "As it happened, it worked out for the best. I had outstanding coaches and a wonderful staff supporting me throughout my time there."

Hightower headed to Columbus, Ohio, where as a member of the track and field team, she proved she was more than just fast. She would become one of the most renowned track stars in Ohio State history since another well-known alum named Jesse Owens.

From 1977-80, Hightower never lost in the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles or the 100-meter hurdles. She also closed out her career as a four-time All-American and a 15-time Big Ten Champion, while establishing 11 Big Ten and Ohio State records. In addition, Hightower established a world record in the 60-yard hurdles at the 1980 Millrose Games in New York City. Her record-setting mark of 7.36 still stands today.

After graduating from Ohio State with a degree in communications, Hightower continued to excel in international competition as a member of over a dozen national teams. She closed out her career as a four-time U.S. 100-meter hurdles champion and a member of two Olympic Teams, while also claiming a silver medal at the 1987 Pan-American Games before retiring in 1988.

With her athletics career behind her, Hightower began to focus on a new path in public service. Returning to her days when she was devastated over President Carter's decision to boycott the 1980 Olympics, Hightower decided to take on leadership roles in several government and educational programs.

After beginning her career as the Director of Communications and Development at the Columbus Urban League, Hightower soon moved into the mayor of Columbus' office where she served as the press secretary and later as a special assistant.

"You have to be dedicated and work extremely hard to be a world-class athlete," said Hightower. "The focus and the intensity - all those attributes, I just parlayed that into my professional career."

And any challenges that arose, Hightower was ready to win. That was why she decided to run for public office in 2001 and would eventually claim the title of Columbus Board of Education President, overseeing a $700 million dollar budget. In 2005, Hightower left her position on the school board and is now focused on promoting higher education as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement for the Columbus College Art and Design, one of the top art and design institutions in the Midwest.

Hightower also continues to work within the United States Track and Field program, serving most recently as the Team Leader for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. In addition, Hightower is chairperson for the Women's Committee of USA Track and Field and serves on the Committee for International Relations.

Her goal is to continue to excel professionally, while also promote education and equality as a leader.

"I definitely would not have even been able to come to the table without a strong education," said Hightower. "Having a high standard of morals and ethics as an African-American woman has propelled me to succeed and continue to strive for even more."