The most recognizable athlete in Bowdoin's history, Joan Benoit
Samuelson is one of the most decorated runners in the world. A
two-time champion at the Boston Marathon (1979 and 1983), in 1984
she was presented with the Jesse Owens Award and in 1985 she earned
the Sullivan Award as the top U.S. amateur athlete. She will
forever be remembered for her dominating gold-medal performance in
the inaugural women's marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in
Los Angeles.
Upon her graduation from Bowdoin in 1979, the four-time
All-American held numerous Bowdoin and New England indoor and
outdoor records, including regional marks in the 1,500- and
3,000-meter races and the U.S. women's record for the 10,000
meters. She still holds the American women's marathon record, a
mark that has stood for seventeen years. While at Bowdoin, Joan
also played on the field hockey team. A native of Cape Elizabeth,
Maine, Joan Benoit Samuelson graduated Bowdoin with a double major
in history and environmental studies. She has been inducted into
the International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame, the Boys' and
Girls' Clubs of America National Hall of Fame, the Maine
Women¹s Hall of Fame, the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, and the
International Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Sports Illustrated placed her at #20 on the Top 100 Women
Athletes of the Twentieth Century. She resides in Freeport, Maine
with her husband, Scott (Class of 1980), and their two children.
Joan's father, André (Class of 1943), and brothers Peter
(Class of 1976) and John (Class of 1981) are also Bowdoin
alumni.
