Southern University Track & Field
Rodney Milburn, a slim, 23-year-old athlete and graduate of Southern University of Baton Rouge, and holder of the world record in the 120-yard high hurdles, was the recipient of the seventh annual James J. Corbett Memorial Award. It was Milburn’s second Corbett Award as he was honored previously for his 1971 accomplishments.
James J. Corbett Awards
Chosen as the winner of the 1973 award by a committee of sports writers and sportscasters, Milburn was honored with the presentation of a handsome plaque in ceremonies held at a reception on Wednesday, April 17th, at International House.
The New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association is the sponsoring organization for this award, which is in memory of the late Jim Corbett, who served as athletic director of Louisiana State University at the time of his death in 1967 and was the National Collegiate Athletic Association representative on the Sugar Bowl board.
The award goes annually to the outstanding individual participating in collegiate athletics in Louisiana.
Previous winners were LSU quarterback Nelson Stokley in 1967, basketball scoring ace Pete Maravich of LSU (1968 and 1969), Tulane linebacker Rick Kingrea in 1970, Milburn in 1971, and Bert Jones, LSU quarterback, in 1972.
Milburn, first in the balloting, was followed by Tyler Lafauci, LSU All-America offensive lineman, basketballer Dwight “Bo” Lamar of Southwestern Louisiana University, and Tulane’s star quarterback Steve Foley.
Milburn, an Opelousas native, and now a resident of Baton Rouge, matched his own world records in both the 120-yard high hurdles and the 110-meter high hurdles in 1973. During this same period, he won 16 events, losing one in 17 meets.
Milburn now spends his time between his world-wide tours as a professional track star and coaching track at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge.
Bob Roesler, sports editor of the Times-Picayune, served as chairman of the Corbett Memorial Award Selection Committee.
Bernie J. Grenrood of the Sugar Bowl is the chairman of the Corbett Memorial Awards Committee. Captain Joe T. Katz, USN (Ret.), Executive Director, New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association, is secretary to the Corbett Memorial Awards Selection Committee.
[Reprinted from the 1973 Sugar Bowl History Book]
