Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame ceremony to induct 14 in Hult Center ceremony
Dyrol Burleson's track career has always been legendary to the Oregon fan base.
Thursday night, the former miler for the Ducks will be recognized on a much grander scale.
Burleson will be one of 14 athletes inducted into the Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Hult Center.
Established in 2022 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the hall of fame recognizes the achievements of athletes who had a lasting impact on the sport during their time in college.
Eligibility for induction this year was limited to men who had completed their collegiate careers prior to 2000 and women prior to 2010.
Burleson, who was just the second American to break 4 minutes in the mile — and first to ever do it at Hayward Field — had a college career that spanned from 1960-62.
The kid from Cottage Grove never lost a race at any distance as a collegian and won three consecutive NCAA titles in the mile or 1,500 meters between 1960 to 1962.
He set collegiate and American records in the 1,500, mile and two mile, and also anchored Oregon relay teams to collegiate records three times, including a world record in the 4xMile.
The two-time Olympian (1960 and 1964) was inducted into the Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and becomes the second Duck, along with 2022 inductee Steve Prefontaine, in the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame.
Among the other inductees are Bowling Green's Dave Wottle, who as a junior won Olympic gold in the 800 in 1972 in Munich; hurdlers Edwin Moses of Morehouse and Renaldo Nehemiah of Maryland; Tennessee State's Wyomia Tyus, the Tokyo Olympic 100 gold medalist in 1962; and Villanova distance sensation Sonia O’Sullivan.
All together, the Class of 2023 combined to win 70 collegiate titles, set 39 world records and win eight Olympic/World Championships medals as collegians.
"The USTFCCCA is proud to honor these exceptional athletes," USTFCCCA CEO Sam Seemes said. "Their accomplishments have inspired countless athletes and fans, and their induction into the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame serves as a testament to their enduring legacy."
The Hult Center ceremony in the Silva Concert Hall is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6 and tickets are free of charge.
The presentation, hosted by former ESPN anchor and Oregon alum Neil Everett, will consist of short video packages profiling each inductee and a one-on-one interview with the athletes in attendance.
"We are thrilled to bring together these legendary athletes for a night of celebration and reflection on their incredible careers," said USTFCCCA President Caryl Smith Gilbert, who also is the director of track and field and cross country at Georgia. "Their stories and achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes, and we are honored to recognize their contributions to the sport."
2023 Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame inductees
Dyrol Burleson, Oregon, 1959-62, middle distance; Michael Carter, SMU, 1980-84, throws; Joetta Clark, Tennessee, 1981-84, middle distance; Michael Conley, Arkansas, 1982-85, jumps; Sheila Hudson, California, 1986-90, jumps; Holli Hyche, Indiana State, 1991-94, sprints; Edwin Moses, Morehouse, 1974-77, hurdles; Renaldo Nehemiah, Maryland, 1978-79, hurdles; Sonia O’Sullivan, Villanova, 1988-91, distances; Julie Shea, NC State, 1978-81, distances; Seilala Sua, UCLA, 1997-2000, throws; John Thomas, Boston U., 1959-62, jumps; Wyomia Tyus, Tennessee State, 1963-68, sprints; Dave Wottle, Bowling Green, 1969-73, middle distance.
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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon Duck Dyrol Burleson joining Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame
