Franklin & Marshall College

Stephan Seymour made his mark on F&M athletics as a member of the track & field team. He earned his letter throwing the javelin, and his college record is 208' 9''. He won the Penn Relays with a heave of 208' 10''. Seymour also established an American record of 248' 10'' in 1947, six years after graduating. He competed in national and international meets for many years, and the javelin he used to establish his American records is in the F&M gym. Dr. Seymour was very active in the Southern CaliforniaAlumni Club for many years, as he was one of the founders. He died at age 52 on June 18, 1973.

Seymour helped improve and popularize a throwing position with more of a straight arm release with the arm over the head and close to vertical at one point. At the beginning of the throw, the head and upper body tilted backward and moved closer to vertical. At release, the arm would be extended overhead and slightly in front of the body, near the top of the arc, with the athlete often looking in the direction of the throw. The javelin may be initially held at an angle exceeding 45 degrees, but released at only around 30 degrees allowing a snap of the wrist and an elbow pivot, but getting most of the force from the shoulders. It was distinct from one earlier Finnish method that used a side arm release. Seymour's method seemed to more effectively use the muscle strength in the arms, shoulders, back and chest to power the throw than a side arm technique. The overhead or over the shoulder throw technique is required today in most competitions. Seymour also was an innovator in the development of strength training techniques specific to the javelin throw.

Following his graduation from Franklin & Marshall, the 1948 Olympics were the pinnacle of his success as he won a second consecutive national AAU title, and in his most notable achievement, a silver medal at the London Summer Olympics. He became the first American to take a silver in the sport, though his winning throw of 67.56 meters (221.6 feet) despite poor weather conditions.