NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is proud to announce the establishment of the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame for the sports of track & field and cross country. In addition, the association is announcing details of the inaugural induction ceremony and the initial 30 athletes that will be enshrined.

Nearly 150 years has elapsed since the first known intercollegiate competitions of running, jumping, and throwing took place. Those events in the mid-to-late 19th century set the stage for the modern-day sports of collegiate track & field and cross country. 

Millions of collegians from coast-to-coast have proven their talents on the track, the field, and/or the grassy terrain over the past century-and-a-half. A hall of fame honoring these best-of-the-best athletes is much overdue.

"The Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame is intended to acknowledge the great athletes who have made collegiate track & field and cross country such incredible sports," said Sam Seemes, CEO of the USTFCCCA. "Not only do we have a large queue of past athletes that are worthy of enshrinement into this hall of fame, we also recognize a vital responsibility in producing first-class presentations to properly commemorate their accomplishments"

In addition to an annual induction ceremony, plans for a permanent "hall" location are being pursued.

"I'm proud that we're stepping forward to preserve our history," added USTFCCCA President Leroy Burrell, in his 23rd year as head coach of track & field at the University of Houston. "Many of the coaches in our association agree that a collegiate athlete hall of fame is long overdue to recognize the athletes who have provided us with countless unforgettable moments."

The inaugural induction presentation will take place at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Ore., at 7:30 p.m., Pacific, on Monday, June 6. The onsite event will be free and open to the public and can also be accessed worldwide via YouTube live webcast.

ESPN's John Anderson will host the two-hour event that will celebrate the inducted athletes with a look back at their collegiate careers via video tribute, roundtable panel discussions, and special guest appearances. A number of the inductees will be in attendance to reflect on their own careers and provide perspective on the impact of fellow inductees.

"Our goal is to capsule into the past — immortalize the incredible moments, accomplishments, and milestones that have defined our sports while also providing necessary context that resonates to present and future generations of collegiate athletes," added Seemes.

The induction will precede the 100th edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships which will be held at Hayward Field, June 8-11. 

The inaugural group of 30 inductees – chosen solely on their accomplishments while a collegiate athlete – is just a starting point to showcase the robust history of excellence in collegiate track & field and cross country. 

Combined, this group of 30 during their collegiate careers, compiled 205 national collegiate individual titles, 99 world records, and 19 Olympic gold medals.

Eligibility for induction this year was limited to men who had completed their collegiate eligibility prior to 2000 and women prior to 2010.