Mamie Rallins, former Tigerbelle and Olympian, dies in car accident

Former Tennessee State track and field star and Olympian Mamie Rallins, 74, was killed in a four-vehicle accident in Ohio on Monday.

Rallins, a Chicago native, was a Tigerbelle for legendary TSU coach Ed Temple in the early 1970s.

She was an Olympian in the 100-meter hurdles in 1968 in Mexico City and 1972 in Munich. She was the No. 1 ranked 100-meter hurdler in the world in 1969, and was an All-American at TSU in 1972, 1973 and 1974.

In 1976, Rallins became the first African-American female coach at Ohio State when she helped start the Buckeyes' women's track and field program.

In her 18 years at Ohio State, Rallins led the Buckeyes to 60 Big Ten indoor and outdoor championships and coached 24 All-Americans.

Rallins became the head track coach at Hampton in 1997 and finished her career as the coach at Chicago State.

None of the other three drivers in the accident was seriously injured.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.