Man of the Oval

The International Legacy of John Chaplin and WSU Track & Field

Bruce Blizard

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Hardback

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English

Sweetspire Literature Management
22 August 2025

Biography: sport; Track & field sports, athletics

""John Prescott Chaplin suggested the title for this book-Man of the Oval-very early in the writing process. When I asked why that title in particular, he explained that the oval shape of the track, combined with the 440-yard or 400-meter distance of a single lap, plus the demands of racing that one lap, seemed to characterize his career as an athlete, a coach, the chair of the International Competition Committee and chairman of the Men's Track & Field Committee for USA Track & Field (USATF), and finally, an international technical official with the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF, now called World Athletics).

""John Chaplin views his life in the sport not as a straight line but as an oval, encircling one lap of the quarter mile (440 yards or 400 meters) oval repeatedly. The one-lap race is long, hard, and it requires an unwavering commitment. The 400-meter athlete does not get to relax, coast, ease up, or slow down. After spending many hours with John Chaplin during the last twenty months, I'd agree that one hard lap of the oval is the perfect metaphor for John Chaplin's career in track & field-an all-out sprint, tenacious and unrelenting.""

By: Bruce Blizard
Imprint: Sweetspire Literature Management
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 669g
ISBN: 9781955719070
ISBN 10: 1955719071
Pages: 374
Publication Date: 22 August 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Bruce Blizard is a former teacher and coach. He lives in southeastern Washington State on 25 dusty acres in the narrow valley between the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Mountain with Tina, his wife of 37 years, and various dogs, cats, and horses.For 21 years he taught Advanced Placement courses in both literature and history in the Richland, Washington School District. He has also coached track and field and cross country in Richland and Benton City, Washington.Bruce has won numerous awards for both teaching and coaching, including the prestigious Crystal Apple, awarded to outstanding and innovative teachers in Washington State.Bruce's First Book is God's Instant. His second, Dark Canyons, was published in February.