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Connecticut College's William Wuyke to be inducted into the Venezuela Athletic Federation Hall of Fame

William Wuyke, director of the Connecticut College fitness center, will be inducted into the Venezuela Athletic Federation Hall of Fame Oct. 9-10.
William Wuyke, director of the Connecticut College fitness center, will be inducted into the Venezuela Athletic Federation Hall of Fame Oct. 9-10.

Former Olympian William Wuyke, director of the College's fitness center and coordinator of the athletic program's strength and conditioning program, will be inducted into the Venezuela Athletic Federation Hall of Fame. Now in his 20th year as a member of the Connecticut College faculty, Wuyke will be honored Oct. 9-10 at a ceremony in Caracas.

A two-time Olympian in the 800 meters, Wuyke holds the longest running track and field record in Venezuela. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he served as Venezuela's representative for the World Olympian's Organization (WOA), and is a frequent guest at numerous athletic conferences and panels around the world.

"Every athlete's dream is to make the Olympic Games," Wuyke said. "To be recognized by my home country is another tremendous achievement. It's going to be a big ceremony. I'm looking forward to celebrating this honor with friends."

Wuyke competed in the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games. He placed ninth in the 800 meters at Moscow in 1980. In 1984, Wuyke was honored as the flag bearer for his team in the games of XXIII Olympiad at Los Angeles. In 1986, Wuyke posted a time of 1:43.54 in the 800, what was then the third fastest time in the world.

Wuyke earned his bachelor's and master's degree at the University of Alabama. Competing in the talent-rich Southeastern Conference, he was a dominating presence in each of his four years of collegiate competition with the Crimson Tide. In 1982, Wuyke won a pair of SEC Championships, capturing the outdoor 800 meter title outdoors and topping the field to win the indoor 1,000 meter run. In 1984, his collegiate sprinting career reached its pinnacle when he was crowned as the NCAA Champion (indoor) in the 1,000 meters, posting a time of 2:24.27.

Wuyke has been director of the Connecticut College fitness center since 1993. Under his direction, the College recently completed construction of a new 10,000-square-foot facility. He also assisted in the planning and preparation for the construction of the Lyn & David Silfen Track and Field in 1996. His popular conditioning classes and renowned "Wuyke Runs" have allowed him to develop a special and unique relationship with the students and athletes at Connecticut College.

- By Will Tomasian



September 18, 2009