Rene' Matison

A 50 year State Champion veteran.

Rene' was Captain of the 1964 Gary Roosevelt State Champion Team and had previously anchored the 1963 State Championship Mile Relay to first place and became a '63 Scholastic All American. In 1964, after an undefeated season, and 2 event Gary City Champion, Rene' placed third in the 1964 – 440 yard dash and anchored the 2nd place Mile Relay-his only 2 defeats of the year. Rene' became a 2 time Scholastic All-American by being on the '64 team and was a USTFF gold medal champ that summer.

Rene' anchored the Hoosier Relays Mile Relay Record in 1964 at 3:25.7 and is still at number 25 all time 400/440 time in Indiana at 47.8, being the first Indiana High School athlete under 48 seconds (and on cinders)

Rene' went on to a standout running career for 4 yrs at the University of New Mexico, where he was a two time All-American, member of several NCAA leading UNM college relay teams, and still holds the UNM school record in the100 yard dash at 9.4. At UNM, he ran with fellow Indiana greats, Kenny Head and Bernie Rivers. Rene' had a hand-timed 9.1-100.

With a BS degree in Education, Rene' pursued a 30 year Human Resources career, and youth track coach and official; a lifetime board member of San Diego Elem. Institute of Science, and a mentor to African American athletes as a ZEAL mentor-currently nationwide spokesman for the Buffalo Soldiers, to teach the history of post Civil War Black Soldiers.

Recognized by teammates and rivals as a true friend and team player, Rene' often sacrificed running events to allow fellow teammates the chance to shine. Rene' is a 50 year anniversary Hall of Fame Candidate and genuine ambassador to his hometown of Gary, and Indiana HS Track and Field.