EUGENE, OR - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) invites all to attend the 2025 Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 8 at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon. The Hall of Fame Red Carpet Walk begins at 5:30 p.m. at the south entrance (7th Avenue) and will be emceed by NBC analyst and voice of Hayward Field Paul Swangard. The Induction Ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m 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 former University of Oregon (UO) runner and Olympian Joaquim Cruz. Cruz, born in Taguatinga, Brazil, began running at 13 and at age 15 he had run 800m in 1:51. In 1981, he set a junior world record (1:44.3), earning a scholarship to the UO in 1983. That same year, he won the NCAA 800m title and took bronze at the inaugural World Championships. In 1984, Cruz achieved a rare NCAA double in the 800m and 1500m—unmatched until 2010—and tied the Oregon school record in the 1500m (3:36.48). That summer, he set a South American record in the 1000m (2:14.09) in Nice. At the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Cruz was among the 800m favorites. With a powerful sprint on the final turn, he overtook the field to win gold in 1:43.00, breaking the Olympic record and becoming Brazil’s first Olympic athletics gold medalist since 1956.
Along with Cruz, 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.
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