In July of 1928, Luz Long of Leipzig, Germany, joined the esteemed Leipziger Sport Club (LSC) at the age of 15. The club was renowned in Germany for various sports and disciplines, having started in 1901. It was at LSC that Luz was introduced to George Richter who coached Luz all the way through the 1936 Olympics. As a member of his famed local club, Luz competed at various athletics competitions beginning in 1930. Organized by the Verband Mitteldeutscher Ballspiel-Vereine (VMBV) or Central German Association of Sport Clubs, these track and field meets took place in various cities across Germany at the highest level of competition from each region. Under Coach Richter, Luz's "sport teacher" as he put it, the young German trained in short-distance running and almost every field discipline including javelin, pole vault, discus, hammer throw, and the three jumps (high, long & triple). He was initially being groomed as a decathlete, but eventually his narrowed his focus on the jumps.
Long placed third in the high jump at the 1930 Central German Association (VMBV) Youth Athletics meet and then won the event at the 1931 VMBV Championship. In 1932, he concentrated more on the long jump and took third at that year's VMBV Championship meet. The following year at the 1933 VMBV Championships, Luz was victorious in the long jump with a leap of 7.32 meters (24 ft.), all while wearing his Leipziger Sport Club jersey proudly. This mark set him up to win the 1933 German National Championship at 7.65 meters (25' 1''), setting a new Saxony state record and putting him in rare company heading into the 1934 European Championships, where he would take bronze.
After earning the silver medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Luz Long was awarded this Leipziger Sport Club "Badge of Honor" pin. Made of 93.5% silver (hallmark reads "GUTIG 935" on reverse), the lovely enameled design has the club's black and red striped emblem surrounded by "LEIPZIGER SPORT CLUB - LEIPZIG 1901" in gold letering. The face lay against a laurel wreath background done in intricate jewelry detail. The pinback functions and the badge remains in terrific shape overall.
In this offered 1901-1951 Leipziger Sport Club 50th Anniversary program, the blonde German who woulc go on to Olympic fame is prominently featured on page 23. The 32-page booklet presents notable LSC dignitaties and other standout athletes in various sports throughout. On the fifth page, the gravesite of Luz Long, who was killed in WW2 in 1943 at age 30, is pictured as well.
Includes a letter of provenance from the Long family.