Golden Legacies:
EMU’s Olympians and the Story Behind the Yellow Shorts
Since 1960, EMU has proudly sent a track and field representative to every Summer Olympics, showcasing the dedication and talent of our athletes on the world stage. Some have even brought home medals, adding gold, silver, and bronze to their names and to EMU’s rich athletic history. But there’s one color that stands out among them all: yellow. In 1967, EMU Hall of Fame Coach Bob Parks made a bold choice to switch to yellow shorts, ensuring our athletes would stand out at the finish line—literally. These iconic yellow shorts symbolize our track and field legacy, recognized coast to coast, just like our Olympians.