Hal Connolly -- RIP

One of the most interesting Olympians ever. But had a lot of weirdness about him ... like most in the T&F sport. Died in a workout accident.
I met him many years ago, and I covered his kids when they were in high school. One son was a great decathatlete, daughter really good volleyball player. Another son played D1 basketball then tried to be a boxer.
I remember one of his son's basketball games in high school where Hal was sitting on one side of the gym and Olga was on the other side. And that was before they divorced.



http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-harold-connolly-20100820,0,7893155.story

 

Didn't one of the daughters play volleyball at UCLA?

 

Yes, Merja (pr. Maria). She might have been an All-American. Damn cute, too.

 

One of the greatest athletes in our (any anybody else's) country's history. RIP.

 

It's been 27 years since I watched her play, but I remember that particular aspect of her game.

 

He was from Somerville, Mass! Which I never knew, despite knowing about him all my life, until today.