Mike Chapman, a 1970 graduate of Paul VI High School, Haddon Township, and a track and field star, will be inducted into the South Jersey Track and Field Hall of Fame this Sunday, March 25, at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin.
As an athlete with the Paul VI Eagles, Chapman won numerous county and state-wide championships in throwing events, while captaining his track team to a perfect season in 1970. With a teammate, he broke the South Jersey two-man shot put and javelin relay records.
After college, he competed in the javelin at the 1980 Olympic Trials. United States of America Track and Field (USAT&F) ranked Chapman nationally for six years, as he continued to set records at the Arizona Relays, Phoenix Invitational, and Mesa Classic.
Later, he coached the throwing events for 20 years at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. From 1990-2008, he competed in his age group in the javelin, winning 18 straight Arizona Grand Canyon games, and was world-ranked as a master thrower.
He is currently the throws coach at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken.