Frank Thomas

Notable Sports Figures
Where Is She Now?
In 1976, Young was married to cyclist Jim Ochowicz and soon became
pregnant. She did not compete for several years, until she resumed
intensive training in both sports in the spring of 1980. In 1981, she placed
seventh at the World Speed Skating Competition. Young did better in cycling,
winning the national women’s sprint championship and the World’s
Cycling championship in 1981, and placing second in 1982. Though she
was aiming for speed skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics, she retired fully
in 1983 when she again became pregnant.
After Young retired, she primarily focused on her family, but also
completed her bachelor’s degree in physical education at the University of
Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She later became a physical education teacher on
the elementary level for 13 years. Young remained connected to her sports
by serving on the U.S. Cycling Federation board of directors and the executive
board of U.S. Olympic Committee. She helped set up the 1980 Winter
Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. Young was also a founding member of
the Women’s Sports Foundation and on the board of Special Olympics International.
Young’s daughter Elli became a competitive speed skater who
was a member of the U.S. Olympic speed skating team in 2002.
Young told Mark Beech of Sports Illustrated, “I had done everything I
wanted to do. I can understand people who compete into their 30s, but
there are other things in life.”
Periodicals
Beech, Mark. “Sheila Young, Speed Skater: February 2,
1976.” Sports Illustrated, (February 4, 2002): 18.
Chapin, Dwight. “Elli Ochowicz; Teen is fulfilling a
speedskating legacy.” San Francisco Chronicle, (January
27, 2002): B12.
“Ex-Skating Star Wins Cycling Title.” New York Times,
(August 17, 1981): C7.
Green, Jerry. “Young a Pioneer in Women’s Sports.”
Detroit News, (July 5, 2001): 1.
Johnson, William Oscar. “On Came the Heroes.” Sports
Illustrated, (February 16, 1976): 10.
Kirsch, Bernard. “Sheila Young: Dedication.” New York
Times, (February 6, 1976).
Matthews, Christopher. “She Was the Young of Old.”
Sports Illustrated, (September 20, 1976): 57.
McDermott, Barry. “Fastest Legs in Two Leagues.”
Sports Illustrated, (August 13, 1973): 20.
Nelson, Nan. “Skating Still 1st with US Biking
Champ.” Milwaukee Journal, (June 19, 1974).
Radosta, John. “Sheila on a Roll.” New York Times,
(April 11, 1983): C2.
Smith, Pohla. United Press International, (July 23,
1981).
Snider, Steve. “Speedskate Star Trains for Olympic
Comeback.” United Press International, (April 16,
1983).
Other
“Athlete Profile—Sheila Young Ochowicz.” http://www.
usolympicteam.com/athlete_profiles/s_young_
ochowicz (January 13, 2002).
Sketch by A. Petruso
Steve Young
Steve Young
1961-
American football player
Young
Steve Young, one of professional football’s greatest
quarterbacks, had to wait his turn for fame, operating
for a number of years in the shadow of Joe Montana, his
predecessor as starting quarterback of the San Francisco
49ers. In the end, Young had to lead his team to a victory
in the Super Bowl to prove himself a worthy successor
to the legendary Montana. Clean-cut, handsome, and a
little on the straitlaced side, Young compiled an impressive
record during his 15 seasons in the National Football
League (NFL), all but two of them with the 49ers.
On a statistical basis, Young stacks up very nicely indeed
against Montana. In fact, compared on the basis of
the percentage of career passes completed, Young even
edges out Montana with a completion rate of 64.3 percent,
compared with Montana’s 63.2 percent. For four
straight years-1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994-Young was
the highest rated quarterback in the NFL, an unprecedented
feat, and in 1992 and 1994 he was named the
league’s most valuable player. Despite all these accomplishments,
it was still difficult for Young to win the respect
he so richly deserved, even after Montana had left
San Francisco and taken up quarterbacking duties with
the Kansas City Chiefs.
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