Herman Neugass

The late Herman Neugass is honored for his athletic achievements and his heroic courage. Neugass gained fame as a Tulane University sprinter, earning titles of the “Human Bullet” and “Green Wave Express” with winning running times in 100 and 220-yard sprints. Yet it was Neugass’s decision not to race that won him the most profound respect. Neugass urged the U.S. to boycott Berlin’s 1936 Olympics unless they were moved from Nazi Germany, and was the only U.S. Olympian who refused on principle to participate. From 1942 until his death in 1991, Neugass was an active member of the Washington, D.C. community.