Jerome BiffleJerome Biffle was one of the nation’s top student-athletes, playing football and running track for Denver East High School.
A three-time all-state track star, and winner of the 100- and 220-yards sprints each year and the high jump and long jump, Biffle went on to win a Gold Medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics in the long jump with a leap of 24-10.03.
He also participated in football for Angels. As a halfback in the vaunted “single wing” offense under the guidance of legendary coach Adolph “Pat” Panek (CHSAA HoF 1991/NFHS HoF 1996), he helped East to an undefeated 1945 season in city play.
Biffle was the first black athlete at the University of Denver, enrolling after a four-year stint in the US Army.
Biffle captured first place finishes at the Kansas, Drake, and West Coast Relays, which were known as the "big three" of college track events during that period, as well as winning the NCAA long jump title. In that same year, Biffle was named Track and Field News top collegiate track star.
Biffle earned a teaching certificate and a master's degree in guidance and counseling. He started out at Cole Elementary School before getting a job at his alma matter, East, just as it was beginning the desegregation process and looking for black teachers and counselors.
He went on to become a golf coach at East and was a school counselor there from 1962-1992. He also was an assistant track coach at EHS.
Biffle, along with Jesse Owens, was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 1959. Biffle passed away in 2002.
For the thousands and thousands of students he counseled at East High School between 1962 and 1992, Biffle will be remembered for his caring and guidance.
For sports fans, he will be remembered as Colorado’s gold medal winning long jumper.
