GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Christian Taylor is the greatest triple jumper of his generation; one of the greatest in the history of the event. During his time at the University of Florida, Taylor was a 14-time All American and four-time national champion. After leaving school to turn professional, he added gold medals at four different World Championships, plus Olympic golds at London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Remarkable achievements, all of them.
Taylor, though, gushes (maybe even blushes) when his thoughts turn to the walk he'll take to his Sports Management degree --
one of 32 current and former UF athletes taking part in fall commencement ceremonies -- Saturday at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. He's climbed the most prestigious podiums in his sport, but the walk up the stairs and onto the O'Dome stage might just make Taylor, now 29, a little weak in the knees.
"This may sound crazy, but it's one of the proudest achievements of my life," Taylor said.
That's why his parents, sister, brother, grandmother and fiancé from Austria will be there to see it happen.
Taylor, from Fayetteville, Ga., left UF after his 2010-11 junior season, about a year and half shy of academic requirements toward a degree. For the next eight years, he jumped professionally (both individually and for international track teams) all over the world. Along the way, Taylor was was often asked, "Hey, where did you go to school?" Or, "When did you graduate?"
He never gave up on his goal to finish his school work at UF.
"Now, I can tell anyone who asks, 'Florida, Class of 2019,' " Taylor said,
Christian Taylor wraps takes a lap with the flag after defending his Olympic championship in the triple jump at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.
Hawkins Center academic advisor
Tim Aydt teamed with Health and Human Performance advisor Paul Hagerson, as well as Dr. Doug DeMichele, a professor in the HHP department, to help Taylor lay a path to navigate his way home to a degree via on-line courses the last few years.
The last piece, in the form of an internship, actually was completed this past summer overseas. Taylor was competing at the time, so he couldn't make commencement in August. He didn't mind waiting a few months, either.
"Track achievements are never a given, but with the time and effort I've put into this it's one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life," said Taylor, who squeezed in those on-line classes during peak training and competition seasons. "I'd been out of the system for so long, so learning some of the stuff on the technology side made me feel really old. But it's going to be worth it. For me, this one will rank way up there. The Olympic Games and this degree will be two things I'll carry with me for the rest of my life."
The next time he visits Alumni Hall or comes to a football game for some tailgating, Taylor said he'll feel completely different. More fulfilled. Then he'll jump back into his work.
Now, about that triple-jump world record? Great Britain's Jonathan Edwards set it in 1995 when he went 60 feet, 0 inches. Taylor went 59 feet, 8 3/4 inches at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.
Eight measly centimeters shy.
"I've won leagues, series, cups and medals, but the world record is one thing I don't have. I am No. 2 now, but I don't want to finish my career there," Taylor said. "It's the last outstanding achievement I don't have."
On the track, that is. One incredibly significant other box (one without sand in it) will have been checked.
