John Douglas '60 starred for the Bates men's track and field team in the late 1950s. Bates became a regional powerhouse during his time in Lewiston, at one point defeating 31 opponents in a row over the course of 21 meets between 1957 and 1959.

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Douglas competed in numerous events for the Bobcats and his name is still number one in the Bates record books in both the indoor and outdoor long jump, as well as the outdoor triple jump. His indoor record long jump of 25-0.75 took place during his junior year in 1959 at Madison Square Garden, with Jesse Owens officiating. Later that same year, representing Bates in the segregated south, he set the program outdoor long jump record of 25-1.5. Both jumps also established New England records at the time.

Douglas went on to have a remarkable career, working for the likes of Lockheed Research, Bank of America and Dole. Then he became a media mogul, starting his own TV station and purchasing a number of radio stations.