Bio

Joe Townsley helped establish a standard of excellence in men's track & field during his record-setting seasons while competing in the pole vault for UW-Oshkosh from 1967-70.

Townsley, who graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1972, came to campus from Racine Washington Park High School where he lettered in track & field three years, football two years and basketball one year. Townsley qualified for the NAIA national outdoor championship in 1968, 1969 and 1970, while setting UW-Oshkosh outdoor and indoor records of 14 feet, 8 inches and 13-9, respectively. He was a NAIA All-District 14 first team honoree and was a team co-captain during his junior and senior seasons.

Townsley won the WSUC outdoor championship in 1968, 1969 and 1970, while winning the league's indoor championship during the first two years the event was held in 1969 and 1970.

In 1970, Townsley made his height of 14 feet to stay in the competition and then went on to win his fifth conference championship. Paced by Townsley, UW-Oshkosh won WSUC outdoor team championships in 1969 and 1970. He also participated in men's gymnastics in 1968 and 1969.

After his career at UW-Oshkosh, Townsley served on the board of directors of the National 'O' Club and is the past president of that organization. He was still highly active in athletics, competing for the University of Chicago Track Club, an organization that made pole vaulting a part of his life for 26 years, until 1980.

Between 1980 and 1994, Townsley competed in 22 triathlons and one marathon, while golf and flying his Mooney aircraft are currently his favorite activities. Recently, Townsley has resumed his pole vaulting career and will compete in that event at the 1998 Nike Masters Games.

Townsley has been self-employed in wholesale and manufacturing in the furniture business since his graduation from UW-Oshkosh. He is also a director of marketing for Corinthian, Inc., a manufacturer of upholstered furniture in Corinth, Miss.