Herb Washington (’73, Education), a significant figure in the history of MSU Men’s Track, stands as one of MSU Athletics’ greatest benchmarks for athletic success and success in business and community endeavors. After setting world records in track and playing major league baseball, “Hurricane Herb” went on to breakthroughs in business and banking.
Now, through a $250,000 gift, Herb and his wife Gisele have established a scholarship fund to benefit worthy and capable students enrolled at MSU who participate in Men’s Varsity Track and Field. The Washingtons, who met at Michigan State, also designated part of their gift to support the men’s track program.
“Most of our athletes know of Herb’s ability to help carry a team while he was a Spartan athlete,” said Walt Drenth, MSU Men’s Track and Field coach. “What they will now know through Herb and Gisele’s gift is how he has assumed the responsibility of continuing to support the team.”
Herb came to Michigan State from Flint, Michigan. As a student-athlete, Herb competed in track and field as a world class sprinter and four time all-American, who won the 1970 NCAA Indoor Championship in the 60 yard dash, seven Big Ten titles and tied or broke several world records in the 50 and 60 yard events. He went on to gain further recognition as a player for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics, despite his lack of previous baseball experience. In 1997, 25 years after his college career ended, he was honored with the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. He was inducted into MSU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
After his outstanding athletics career, he made a successful jump into the business world. He is the owner/operator of numerous McDonald’s restaurant franchises, appropriately titled H.L.W. Fast Track, Inc. He was also named and subsequently elected to the Federal Reserve Board.
Beyond his recognition as a successful business person, Herb is well known for his community leadership. Herb serves as MSU’s liaison to the Big Ten Advisory Committee, the group charged with diversity and quality of life initiatives for student-athletes and staff. Herb and Gisele have two children, Tyrell and Arielle. Tyrell attended MSU and Arielle is currently enrolled at Michigan State. Herb and Gisele reside in Youngstown, Ohio.
For more information on giving to Spartan Athletics Programs contact Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development Chuck Sleeper at (517) 432-4611; sleeper@ath.msu.edu.