Charles Mays
Charles "Charlie" Mays Sr. was an American Olympic athlete and Democratic Party politician who represented the 31st Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly. He was an eleven-time Amateur Athletic Union All-American, nine-time AAU champion in the long jump and six-time champion in the 440-yard dash. Mays was AAU Track and Field Athlete of the Year on three occasions, and a two-time NCAA champion in the long jump and the mile relay. He competed in the long jump at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
Mays grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey and competed in track while at Lincoln High School. He served six years on the city council in Jersey City and two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Mays founded the Black Athletes Hall of Fame in 1973 and later served as its executive director.
Mays was inducted to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks Hall of Fame in 1982. In 2007, Hudson County, New Jersey named the running track at Lincoln Park in his honor.
