Legend Billy Mills

Olympic Champion & Motivator | 1980 INDUCTEE

Billy Mills is a special person from South Dakota who became an Olympic champion! He was born June 6, 1938, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Growing up, Billy faced tough times after losing his parents at age twelve, however, he found hope and strength through running. 

Billy loved running so much that he went to the University of Kansas on a scholarship and became a star runner. He worked very hard, running up to 100 miles a week, to make his dream come true. In 1964, at the Tokyo Olympics, Billy surprised everyone by winning the gold medal in the 10,000-meter race and even set a new world record! 

But Billy's story is not just about running fast; he also cares a lot about helping Native American communities. He started a charity called Running Strong, which has raised money to help people on reservations in South Dakota. Thanks to Billy, many families have better health care, food, and opportunities for a brighter future.  

Billy Mills Reflects on the 10,000 Gold Medal Finish

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1964 Footage of Billy Mills 10,000 Meter Gold Medal Finish

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In 1983 a movie about Billy’s life was made call: Running Brave

Watch the Trailer Here

Major Events in Billy’s Life 

  • All-American in cross-country; Kansas team wins NCAA outdoor national championships

    • Winner, individual title in Big Eight Conference cross-country tournament

    • First attempt to qualify for the Olympics; but does not make the team

  • Big Eight Conference champion, 2-mile race

  • Join Marine Corps

    • Makes the Olympic Team

    • Wins Olympic gold medal in Olympics, in a startling upset; sets new Olympic record

    • Voted Associated Press “Upset of the Year”

      • This was the same year that African-American boxer Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali ) beat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title, an event often considered one of the biggest upsets of all time; the fact that Mill's win took precedence over Clay's shows the impact it had on sports reporters at the time.

  • Sets world record in 6-mile run with a time of 27:11.6; sets American records in the 10,000 meters and the 3-mile run

  • Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

  • Inducted into Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

  • Inducted into Distance Running Hall of Fame

Books by Billy

 "I wanted to make a total effort, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Even if I lost, with this effort I believed that I would hold the greatest key to success." — Billy Mills

Watch Billy Mills Commencement Speech at SD Mines

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Watch Billy Mills Commencement Speech at SD Mines -

In 2024, the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota decided to honor ‘Famous South Dakotans’ which included Billy Mills on the front of the building.  

Reflection:

Thinking about the video of Billy’s historic 10,000-meter gold medal finish in the 1964 Summer Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan, examine the pictures of Billy after the race. 

  • Write about the emotions you feel. 

  • What was the secret to Billy’s success? 

  • How can you apply this secret to your life? 

  • What hope for the future does Billy’s story give to you?  

  • What leadership characteristics do you believe Billy possesses?  

  • What about Billy inspires you?