Clements runs into Hall of Fame

By Jimmy Chai, On-Line Forty-Niner

Tuesday, September 22, 1998

Walter Clements Jr., the newest inductee to the Long Beach State Hall of Fame for track and field, hurdled many obstacles on his trip to the top. In 1966, Clements earned two All-American honors in the high and intermediate hurdles. In 1967, Clements, who set a school record in the high hurdles, helped lead the 49ers to the College Division NCAA Championship.

After Clements' tenure, the track dust settled onto five All-American honors. To this day, the records have not been duplicated.

Coming out of high school he appeared inadequate in physique, Clements said.

"I was always a little shorter and a little smaller than everyone else. I had to work a lot harder," Clements said. "Jimmy Richardson always use to tell me, 'Somebody may beat you because they're a better athlete than you are, but never let anybody beat you because they're in better shape than you are'."

As a result, Clements put in extra hours at the gym. He became one of Long Beach States most accomplished athletes.

It was the good times and friendships that Clements remembered.

Although the times revolved around race and skin color, Clements and fellow Caucasian teammates managed to see past that and look at each other for who they were, Clements said.

It was about overcoming stereotypes, Clements said. There was a good attitude and aura about Long Beach State.

"You could always go down to Anaheim or Pacific Coast Highway, put your thumb out and one of your buddies would pick you up and take you to school," Clements said.

After competitions, all the schools would gather at the same parties. If the team lost, it would hear an earful, Clements said.

"They weren't patting you on the back [if you got beat]," Clements said. "[But] my philosophy was, you may be better than me, but when you hit the tape, you better duck because I'm going to be right there at your side."

But for this Long Beach State Hall of Fame inductee, there were not many losing moments.

Clements currently works as an administrator for the state of California. He is married and has two daughters, Laura and Tosha.

The Daily Forty-Niner will feature an article on each of the 1998 Hall of Fame class.