University of Michigan
In approximately 1898, Dvorak transferred to the University of Michigan as a junior in the Department of Literature, Science and Arts. While attending Michigan over the following six years, Dvorak was captain of the track team, vice-president of the Republican Club, athletic editor of the University of Michigan Daily, editor of the U. of M. Republican, and a member of the Comedy Club, the Board of Control, the Gymnasium Team, the Social Committee, the Fencing Club, and the Hawks.
Before enrolling at Michigan, Dvorak had competed in the pole vault, achieving a height of 9 feet, 6 inches. At Michigan, Dvorak worked with track coach Keene Fitzpatrick, who has been credited with inventing modern pole-vaulting technique. Fitzpatrick taught Dvorak to grasp the pole with his hands close together, resulting in a significant increase in the heights Dvorak was able to clear.
In 1901, Dvorak won the first Western Conference pole vault championship with a jump of 11 feet, 6 inches. After the 1901 season, Dvorak received his bachelor's degree as a member of the University of Michigan's literary class of 1901. He returned in the fall as a student in Michigan's law department, earning his law degree in 1904. Dvorak was a member of four consecutive Western Conference championship track teams from 1901 to 1904 and was the conference pole vault champion in both 1901 and 1903. He won the 1903 conference championship with a vault of 11 feet, 9 inches, breaking the intercollegiate record of 11 feet, 6-1/2 inches held by Chapman of Drake.
In May 1903, Dvorak set a world's record in the pole vault with a jump of 11 feet, 11 inches. He reportedly often cleared 12 feet in practice.
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