The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has proudly unveiled the 2023 induction class for the Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held on September 14, 2023, at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon. This year’s class, consisting of 14 athletes, comprises some of the most prominent names in collegiate track & field and cross country history. Collectively, they have amassed an impressive 70 national collegiate titles, 39 world records, and eight Olympic/World Championships medals during their college careers.
“The USTFCCCA is delighted to honor these exceptional athletes for their remarkable accomplishments and contributions to collegiate track & field and cross country. Their legacies have inspired countless athletes and fans, and their induction into the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame serves as a testament to their lasting impact.”
USTFCCCA CEO Sam Seemes
The induction ceremony, which will be open to the public, will take place two days before the start of the Prefontaine Classic, 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. Their stories and achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes, and we are honored to recognize their contributions to the sport.”
USTFCCCA President Caryl Smith Gilbert
One of this year’s inductees is Rio Linda High School’s own Sheila Hudson.
Hudson competed in track and field and played on the girls’ basketball team. She was the Knights’ starting point guard and played on the varsity basketball team all four years during high school. On the track, Hudson competed in the triple jump, long jump, 300-meter hurdles, and the 4×100m and 4×400m relays. Hudson captured the 1985 CIF California State Meet title in the triple jump during her senior year and accepted a full scholarship to attend UC Berkeley.
Sheila came back to Rio Linda High School last year ( 2022) to be present for her inaugural addition to the Rio Linda High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Hudson won six national collegiate titles during her college career, including a historic “double-double” at the NCAA Division I Championships. She became the first woman to sweep the horizontal jumps in indoor and outdoor events.
Hudson’s record-breaking performances and ability to perform under pressure were evident on the national stage. In the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships triple jump, she held the lead through five attempts before being overtaken by Pac-10 rival Yvette Bates. Hudson responded with an incredible jump of 13.78m (45-2½), setting a world record and clinching victory. The following year, Hudson once again found herself trailing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships but came back to win with an all-conditions world best of 13.92w (45-8w), showcasing her determination and resilience.
After taking a year off, Hudson continued to excel, this time indoors. In 1990, she won the NCAA Indoor Championships long jump by nearly a foot and then went on to set a world indoor best in the triple jump with a jump of 13.94m (45-9) on her final attempt.
Hudson completed her historic double-double by winning the NCAA long jump with a personal record of 6.73m (22-1) before claiming the triple jump title and extending her own collegiate and American record to 14.04m (46-¾). Hudson’s remarkable performances and consistency at the highest level of competition have solidified her status as one of the greatest jumpers in college track and field history.
In international competition, Hudson won the silver medal at the 1994 IAAF World Cup, won the bronze medal at the 1993 Goodwill Games, finished eighth at the 1995 World Indoor Championships, tenth at the 1996 Olympic Games and fifth at the 1998 IAAF World Cup.
Established in 2022, the Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame celebrates the best of the best in collegiate track & field and cross country. The Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of athletes who have left an enduring mark on the sport during their college years.
Other inductees include:
| Team | Events | Years Active | Hometown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyrol Burleson | Oregon | Mid-Distance | 1959-1962 | Cottage Grove, Ore. |
| Michael Carter | SMU | Throws | 1980-1984 | Dallas, Texas |
| Joetta Clark | Tennessee | Mid-Distance | 1981-1984 | Newark, N.J. |
| Michael Conley | Arkansas | Jumps | 1982-1985 | Chicago, Ill. |
| Sheila Hudson | California | Jumps | 1986-1990 | Rio Linda, Calif. |
| Holli Hyche | Indiana State | Sprints | 1991-1994 | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Edwin Moses | Morehouse | Hurdles | 1974-1977 | Dayton, Ohio |
| Renaldo Nehemiah | Maryland | Hurdles | 1978-1979 | Scotch Plains, N.J. |
| Sonia O’Sullivan | Villanova | Distances | 1988-1991 | Cobh, Ireland |
| Julie Shea | NC State | Distances | 1978-1981 | Raleigh, N.C. |
| Seilala Sua | UCLA | Throws | 1997-2000 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
| John Thomas | Boston U. | Jumps | 1959-1962 | Boston, Mass. |
| Wyomia Tyus | Tennessee State | Sprints | 1964-1967 | Griffin, Ga. |
| Dave Wottle | Bowling Green | Mid-Distance | 1969-1973 | Canton, Ohio |
