Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame
Ron Draper made his mark at North Carolina Central University as a five-time track All-American and member of the 1971 NAIA National Champion 440-yard relay team.
In 1970, Draper ranked No. 9 in the U.S. among 120-yard hurdlers by Track & Field News. He placed third in the 120-yard hurdles with a time of 13.8 seconds at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The following season at the 1971 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Draper finished as the national runner-up in the 120-yard high hurdles in 13.7 seconds, just one-tenth of a second behind eventual Olympic champion Rod Milburn. Draper later trimmed his time to 13.3 seconds in the 120-yard hurdles to place second at the U.S. Track & Field Championships. Track & Field News ranked Draper sixth in the world in the 120-yard hurdles during the 1971 season. He helped the Eagles win the 1971 NAIA Team National Championship by joining Melvin Bassett, Jerry Monroe and Larry Black on the national-title winning 440-yard relay squad (40.4 seconds).
Draper earned his undergraduate degree from NCCU in 1971, and later graduated from NCCU’s Law School.
He currently runs his own law firm in Chicago, Illinois.
