Shelby McEwen of Alabama Track and Field Declares Pro
11/2/2019 11:40:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
The reigning NCAA indoor high jump champion will forego senior season of eligibility
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama track & field's high jumper Shelby McEwen officially signed his professional contract on Saturday afternoon. McEwen will forgo his remaining college eligibility in order to turn professional roughly one year out from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
I have decided to forfeit my last year at The University of Alabama and go pro. I will always have RollTide?? in my heart ?? thanks to all my family and friends for the support! #BamaAlumni #TheJourneyContinues #InJesusNameIJump???? @AlabamaTrack
— Shelby Mcewen (@ShelbySm5) October 17, 2019
"It's a huge honor and privilege to be able to continue what I love doing on the next level," McEwen said. "I'm looking forward to the journey and I want to thank the University of Alabama Athletics, track and field and all my coaches for the love and success in believing in me over the last two years. I will forever be Roll Tide in my heart."
The Journey Continues ?? #InJesusNameIJump ???? https://t.co/8qTbdYZjLY
— Shelby Mcewen (@ShelbySm5) November 2, 2019
The defending NCAA indoor high jump champion, McEwen, became the first Alabama jumper to win an NCAA indoor high jump title, and just the second to win one in either indoor or outdoor, following Jeff Woodard, who won the outdoor title in 1980. During his two seasons competing indoor and outdoor with the Crimson Tide, McEwen earned four First Team All-American honors and garnered four Southeastern Conference Championship medals for 34 SEC points.
?? McEwen is the ??st Alabama jumper to win an NCAA indoor high jump title, and just the ??nd to win one in either indoor or outdoor.
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) March 9, 2019
??: https://t.co/bUAdikwxRx#NCAATF | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/xltxnzSmPU
"First off, congratulations Shelby on an incredible 2019 year," head coach Dan Waters said. "I am just so proud of all the things he has been able to accomplish this year, NCAA indoor high jump champion, third place in outdoors and a degree from the University of Alabama. Now he gets to follow his dreams and become a professional track and field athlete by singing his contract today."
McEwen, who led Alabama to a 2018 SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships title recorded a collegiate-best leap of 7-7 (2.31m) at the Carolina Challenge on Feb. 2. Most recently, the Abbeville, Miss., native got a taste of competing on a global stage at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar (Sept. 26-Oct. 10).
"Shelby has done so much for us, the impact he has had on our team is immeasurable," Waters said. "He has always been a guy that is dependable and clutch on days when we really needed him. We cannot thank Shelby enough for all that he has done. He will always be a part of the Crimson Tide track and field family."
?? heights. ?? ceilings. #NCAATF | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/0iplYyEEw2
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) March 9, 2019
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