John Thomas Named to Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame Class of 2023
April 26, 2023 | Men's Track & Field
NEW ORLEANS -- The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced that Boston University legend John Thomas '63 has been named to the 2023 induction class for the Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame. The class of 14 will be enshrined on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon.
This year's class features some of the greatest names in collegiate track & field and cross country history, combining for 70 national collegiate titles, 39 world records and eight Olympic medals achieved while in college.
"The USTFCCCA is proud to honor these exceptional athletes for their achievements and contributions to collegiate track & field and cross country," said Sam Seemes, CEO of the USTFCCCA. "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."
Thomas, a high-jumping prodigy, made history as the youngest-ever male high jumper to set a world record at just 17 years old. As a freshman at BU in 1959, Thomas cleared 6-11⅛ (2.11m) indoors, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career.
During his first two years in college, Thomas broke or tied the world record an impressive 15 times. One of his most notable records occurred at the 1959 Millrose Games, where he achieved the first-ever indoor 7-foot (2.13m) clearance. This accomplishment was later recognized by meet director Howard Schmertz as his number one "Most Memorable Millrose Moment" during the celebration of the meet's 100th edition in 2007.
Thomas continued to push the limits, concluding the 1959 winter season with a 7-1¼ (2.16m) win at the AAU Indoor Championships – a height surpassing the outdoor world record at the time (2.16m/7-1). As a sophomore in 1960, Thomas added four more entries to the indoor world record book, defending his Millrose and AAU titles and raising the indoor world record to 7-2½ (2.19m).
During his first collegiate outdoor season, Thomas set his first outdoor world record, clearing 7-1½ (2.17m) to win the Penn Relays. He also achieved the first 7-foot clearance at the NCAA Championships, earning the first of his two titles. His final world record, 7-3⅞ (2.22m), was set during his career at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Thomas also earned a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics while a collegian, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of high jumping.
"On behalf of the Boston University Track & Field program, I am honored that one of our all-time greats is rightfully being recognized as one of the all-time greats in our sport," said director of track & field and cross country Gabe Sanders. "John was a giant in his stature, performance, persona, and more. The mark he left within our program as an athlete, coach and alum leaves an imprint of a legacy and a standard that we continue to spotlight and build upon for years to come. Thank you to the USTFCCCA and thank you to John for always making us proud to BU!"
The 2023 induction class includes:
- Dyrol Burleson (Oregon, 1959-1962)
- Michael Carter (SMU, 1980-1984)
- Joetta Clark (Tennessee, 1981-1984)
- Michael Conley (Arkansas, 1982-1985)
- Sheila Hudson (California, 1986-1990)
- Holli Hyche (Indiana State, 1991-1994)
- Edwin Moses (Morehouse, 1974-1977)
- Renaldo Nehemiah (Maryland, 1978-1979)
- Sonia O'Sullivan (Villanova, 1988-1991)
- Julie Shea (NC State, 1978-1981)
- Seilala Sua (UCLA, 1997-2000)
- John Thomas (Boston University, 1959-1962)
- Wyomia Tyus (Tennessee State, 1964-1967)
- Dave Wottle (Bowling Green, 1969-1973)
The induction ceremony will be open to the public and will be held two days prior to the start of the Prefontaine Classic which has been designated as this year's Diamond League Final.
"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.
This year's class features some of the greatest names in collegiate track & field and cross country history, combining for 70 national collegiate titles, 39 world records and eight Olympic medals achieved while in college.
"The USTFCCCA is proud to honor these exceptional athletes for their achievements and contributions to collegiate track & field and cross country," said Sam Seemes, CEO of the USTFCCCA. "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."
Thomas, a high-jumping prodigy, made history as the youngest-ever male high jumper to set a world record at just 17 years old. As a freshman at BU in 1959, Thomas cleared 6-11⅛ (2.11m) indoors, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career.
During his first two years in college, Thomas broke or tied the world record an impressive 15 times. One of his most notable records occurred at the 1959 Millrose Games, where he achieved the first-ever indoor 7-foot (2.13m) clearance. This accomplishment was later recognized by meet director Howard Schmertz as his number one "Most Memorable Millrose Moment" during the celebration of the meet's 100th edition in 2007.
Thomas continued to push the limits, concluding the 1959 winter season with a 7-1¼ (2.16m) win at the AAU Indoor Championships – a height surpassing the outdoor world record at the time (2.16m/7-1). As a sophomore in 1960, Thomas added four more entries to the indoor world record book, defending his Millrose and AAU titles and raising the indoor world record to 7-2½ (2.19m).
During his first collegiate outdoor season, Thomas set his first outdoor world record, clearing 7-1½ (2.17m) to win the Penn Relays. He also achieved the first 7-foot clearance at the NCAA Championships, earning the first of his two titles. His final world record, 7-3⅞ (2.22m), was set during his career at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Thomas also earned a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics while a collegian, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of high jumping.
"On behalf of the Boston University Track & Field program, I am honored that one of our all-time greats is rightfully being recognized as one of the all-time greats in our sport," said director of track & field and cross country Gabe Sanders. "John was a giant in his stature, performance, persona, and more. The mark he left within our program as an athlete, coach and alum leaves an imprint of a legacy and a standard that we continue to spotlight and build upon for years to come. Thank you to the USTFCCCA and thank you to John for always making us proud to BU!"
The 2023 induction class includes:
- Dyrol Burleson (Oregon, 1959-1962)
- Michael Carter (SMU, 1980-1984)
- Joetta Clark (Tennessee, 1981-1984)
- Michael Conley (Arkansas, 1982-1985)
- Sheila Hudson (California, 1986-1990)
- Holli Hyche (Indiana State, 1991-1994)
- Edwin Moses (Morehouse, 1974-1977)
- Renaldo Nehemiah (Maryland, 1978-1979)
- Sonia O'Sullivan (Villanova, 1988-1991)
- Julie Shea (NC State, 1978-1981)
- Seilala Sua (UCLA, 1997-2000)
- John Thomas (Boston University, 1959-1962)
- Wyomia Tyus (Tennessee State, 1964-1967)
- Dave Wottle (Bowling Green, 1969-1973)
The induction ceremony will be open to the public and will be held two days prior to the start of the Prefontaine Classic which has been designated as this year's Diamond League Final.
"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.
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