[1] Merriam attended the University of Chicago, where he starred in football and track between 1905 and 1908.

He was a member of the American track and field team at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.

In the 400 metres, Merriam won his preliminary heat with a time of 52.2 seconds.

In 2011, Merriam was inducted into the University of Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame.

His plaque states that he was a three-time Big 10 champion in the 440-yard dash and a member of the U.S. Olympic Team, serving as head track and field coach from 1929 to 1949.