James I. Wendell (1890–1958) has the athletic distinction as the only Wesleyan undergraduate to win an Olympic medal. A tremendous track athlete at Wesleyan who earned All-America honors twice as a hurdler, James qualified for the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. There he captured a silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles during the summer between his junior and senior years. As the top hurdler of his time, James established a world record in the 220-yard low hurdles and held it from 1913 through 1936. During his time as a Cardinal, James won five New England hurdles titles and three ICAAAA titles as well as a national indoor high-hurdles crown in 1913.
He served as a member of the Wesleyan Board of Trustees (1930–42) during his 24-year position as headmaster of the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., from 1928 through 1952. He began his career as an educator in 1913 as a master of English and assistant track coach at the Hill School.
