Star athlete for the University of Southern California in the sprint and sprint relay events, class of 1929. Draper first developed as an outstanding sprinter under the coaching of C.W. Berry at Central High School in Fort Worth, Texas, class of 1925. Berry urged him to compete at the collegiate level, and, after graduation, Draper bought an old jalopy Ford and drove to California to join the nationally-ranked track and field team of the University of Southern California (USC). USC was the alma mater of Draper's idol as a youth, the famous sprinter and two-time 1920 Olympic gold-medalist Charlie Paddock. Draper quickly made a name for himself in the sprint events under the coaching of USC's renowned coach, Dean Cromwell. Draper became one of USC's nationally ranked sprinters for USC in those years--he competed successfully against teammate Charley Borah (Olympic gold medalist in the 1928 Olympics) in numerous meets as they headlined in the sports pages across the nation. After besting Borah in the 1928 Amateur Athletic Union national track and field 100 meter championship, Draper joined with Borah and two other USC sprinters to win the 440 yard four-man sprint relay, setting a new world record in 41.6 seconds. Despite a history of injuries, Draper entered the US Olympic track and field trials in 1928, competing in both the 100 and 200 meter events, He failed to qualify, finish in 5th place of the heats of both events.
Star athlete for the University of Southern California in the sprint and sprint relay events, class of 1929. Draper first developed as an outstanding sprinter under the coaching of C.W. Berry at Central High School in Fort Worth, Texas, class of 1925. Berry urged him to compete at the collegiate level, and, after graduation, Draper bought an old jalopy Ford and drove to California to join the nationally-ranked track and field team of the University of Southern California (USC). USC was the alma mater of Draper's idol as a youth, the famous sprinter and two-time 1920 Olympic gold-medalist Charlie Paddock. Draper quickly made a name for himself in the sprint events under the coaching of USC's renowned coach, Dean Cromwell. Draper became one of USC's nationally ranked sprinters for USC in those years--he competed successfully against teammate Charley Borah (Olympic gold medalist in the 1928 Olympics) in numerous meets as they headlined in the sports pages across the nation. After besting Borah in the 1928 Amateur Athletic Union national track and field 100 meter championship, Draper joined with Borah and two other USC sprinters to win the 440 yard four-man sprint relay, setting a new world record in 41.6 seconds. Despite a history of injuries, Draper entered the US Olympic track and field trials in 1928, competing in both the 100 and 200 meter events, He failed to qualify, finish in 5th place of the heats of both events.
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