Earl Bell

Bell was born in Panama to William "Papa" K. Bell and Yola Zimmerman Bell. His father was a medical doctor, a masters record-holder in pole vaulting,^[5] and attended the University of Arkansas. The family moved from Panama to Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1960.

In 1973, Bell entered Arkansas State University. He graduated in 1988 with a BSc degree in accounting.^[3] While attending Arkansas State, Bell won the NCAA pole vault title in 1975, 1976, and 1977. He also won the AAU championships in 1976 and 1984 and placed third in 1981. Bell won a gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games and finished fifth at the 1991 Pan American Games.^[2]

Bell entered the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials as the world record holder. During the trials, he lent his pole to David Roberts, who broke it. Roberts won the trials with a new world record,^[6] while Bell finished second. At the 1976 Summer Olympics, Roberts won the bronze medal and Bell finished sixth.^[2]

Bell won the British AAA Championships title at the 1981 AAA Championships.^[7][8][9]

After retiring from competition, Bell established Bell Athletics outside Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he coached Jeff Hartwig, Derek Miles, Kellie Suttle, Daniel Ryland, and Jillian Schwartz, among other pole vaulters.^[1][10]

Bell is married and has three children: Drew, Sam, and Henry.^[3]

Bell remained highly ranked throughout his career, receiving U.S. rankings among the world's leading pole vaulters for 16 consecutive years in the annual rankings published by Track and Field News.^[11]