Harry S. Babcock, a native of Pelham Manor, arrived on the campus of Columbia University in the fall of 1908 to pursue engineering studies at Columbia University. Shortly after his arrival, Babcock would waste no time leaving his mark on South Field’s track.
During the annual freshman/sophomore meet in October, Babcock impressed immediately by setting a new meet record in the pole vault, effortlessly clearing a height of 10 feet 5 and a half inches despite being only 17 years old. In no time, Babcock would be named a captain for the Lions, showing incredible leadership to go along with his strong performances on the track. This would begin his journey toward becoming one of the nation’s top pole vaulters.
Possessing a diverse range of talents in track and field, Babcock displayed his dominance during the 1912 City Championship meet. He secured victories in various events, including the pole vault, high jump, high hurdles, and long jump. Additionally, he attained second place in the discus throw and third place in the shot put.
Throughout his time at Columbia, Babcock continued to excel. He clinched the pole vault title at the 1911 IC4A Championships. He emerged victorious in the 1910 and 1912 USA National Championships, an achievement that earned him a spot in the Olympic Games held in Stockholm, Sweden.
At the 1912 Olympics, Babcock entered multiple events, including the decathlon, triple jump, and pole vault. However, he chose to focus on his strongest event, pole vaulting. Through eight rounds of intense competition, he consistently outperformed his rivals, ultimately securing the gold medal for the United States. In the process, he established a new Olympic record by clearing a height of 3.95 meters.
