Born in Madera, California, Lee Evans went undefeated during his high school track career and ran for the San Jose State University track team, winning five Amateur Athletic Union titles and the 1968 NCAA title in the 400-meter. Evans went on to win gold medals in the 400 race and the 4x400 at the Olympic Games Mexico City 1968, where he became the first person to break 44 seconds in the 400. Evans began his coaching career as a cross country and track coach at San Jose State University and later directing the national track and field programs of Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and a number of other countries. Evans was the sprinting coach for the All-African team at the first world cup in 1977, but eventually returned to the United States to join the University of South Alabama and University of Washington coaching staffs. He was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1983.