He was a successful sprinter at high school ( where he set several records ) .
He chose Occidental College in Los Angeles , rather than take a track scholarship to a local public university , because he preferred the Southern Californian climate and environment .
Although he was a successful sprinter at high school ( where he set several records ) , he chose Occidental College in Los Angeles , rather than take a track scholarship to a local public university , because he preferred the Southern Californian climate and environment .