As part of Black History Month, Emporia State Athletics will take a look back at some of the black student-athletes that have had an impact on Hornet Athletics.

Elijah Williams was a world-class sprinter when competing on the Hornet track teams in the early 1920s.  A four-year letterman, the Emporia HS graduate was the Kansas state college champion in the 100 and 220 for three straight years. 

In 1923, his 21.8-second clocking in the 220 tied a world record for a one-curve track, but was not recognized, as no AAU official timer was present. 

In 1924, he tied the Drake Relays record in the 100 and outran three sprinters who were members of the 1924 Olympic team and anchored the 880 relay team to a first-place finish.  He would qualify for the 1924 Olympic Trials but a leg injury 10 days prior to the finals kept him out of competition. 

Williams became a parole officer for the District of Columbia Department of Corrections in 1953 until his retirement. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus by ESU's Alumni Association in 1971 and was inducted into the ESU Athletics Hall of Honor in 1983.