Oregon’s Dellinger to Be Inducted Into the Collegiate Track & Field / Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) invites all to attend the 2024 Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 2, at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon. The Hall of Fame Red Carpet Walk begins at 4:30pm at the north entrance, and will be emceed by NBC analyst and voice of Hayward Field Paul Swangard. The induction ceremony starts at 5:00pm and will be emceed by sportscaster Neil Everett. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

This year’s induction class includes USTFCCCA Hall of Fame coach, and former Oregon runner and legendary coach, Bill Dellinger. Dellinger was a trailblazing distance runner for Oregon, setting a standard that would shape the future of the program. Winning the NCAA mile championship as a sophomore in 1954 and securing a runner-up position in 1955 marked the beginning of his illustrious career. 

“The USTFCCCA is proud to honor these exceptional athletes for their achievements and contributions to collegiate track & field and cross country. 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.”

– Sam Seemes, CEO, of the USTFCCCA, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)

The Olympic year of 1956 was a turning point for Dellinger, as the NCAA adjusted its distances to align with the Olympic standards, switching the 2-mile race to 5000 meters. Dellinger seized this opportunity, claiming Oregon’s first NCAA win in the event with a signature finish that left an indelible mark on the collegiate running scene. His dominance extended beyond collegiate competitions, as he went on to win the Olympic Trials and set multiple American Records in the lead-up to the Melbourne Olympics.

Along with Dellinger, this year’s class features some of the greatest names in collegiate track & field and cross country history. With 67 national collegiate titles, 25 collegiate records, five Olympic/World Championships medals, and four world records while in college, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the sports.

The induction ceremony will be held three days prior to the start of the 2024 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships at University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.

“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, the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at the University of Georgia. “Their stories and achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes, and we are honored to recognize their contributions to the sport.”

The Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame was established in 2022 to honor the best of the best in collegiate track & field and cross country. The hall of fame recognizes the achievements of athletes who have left a lasting mark on the sport during their time in college. Eligibility for induction this year was limited to men who had completed their collegiate eligibility prior to 2000 and women prior to 2010.

Contacts
Tom Lewis, Director of Media, Broadcasting and Analytics, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
479-422-9407, Tom@ustfccca.org

Andy Vobora, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Travel Lane County
541-743-8770, Andy@EugeneCascadesCoast.org

About the USTFCCC
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents over 11,000 coaching members encompassing 98-percent of all NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, and DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high school coaches associations. The USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as an activist for coaches’ interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.

About the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission
Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission, under the corporate umbrella of Travel Lane County, markets and promotes the region as a destination for sports, while providing resources designed to help events and planners succeed. Working with community partners, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission provides planning tools, educational opportunities and occasions to celebrate sport. For more information, visit EugeneCascadesCoastSports.org.