Allen Johnson Headlines USATF HOF Class

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky assistant track and field coach Allen Johnson will be enshrined as part of the 42nd National Track & Field Hall of Fame induction class on Thursday.

The induction will be part of USA Track and Field’s Black Tie and Sneakers Gala. NBC Sports’ Dan Hicks will emcee the event at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City.

Proceeds from the event support the USATF Elite Athlete Mentorship Program, a new USATF initiative preparing athletes for success after the conclusion of their competitive careers.

As an athlete, Johnson had one of the greatest hurdling careers in history, highlighted by the 1996 gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles with the Olympic-record time.

“I am truly honored to be inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame Class of 2015,” Johnson said. “Thanks to my family, coaches and friends. I couldn’t do it alone.”

Johnson is entering his second season as an assistant coach on Edrick Floréal’s track and field coaching staff.

“Allen’s induction into the Hall of Fame comes as a result of hard work,” Floréal said. “He spent numerous years as the top hurdler in the world. We can only hope that our student athletes will commit themselves to their goals in a similar fashion. We couldn’t be prouder of Allen.”

The rest of the 2015 Hall of Fame class includes Hollis Conway in addition to “veteran” athletes Ralph Mann, Al Blozis and Jack Torrance; and coach Harry Gill.

In addition to his Olympic gold, Johnson is a four-time World Outdoor champion (tied with Michael Johnson and UK alumnus Dwight Phillips for most by an American in one event all-time) and former world record holder.  He still holds the record for most 110m hurdles races faster than 13 seconds all-time (11).

Allen Johnson bio – Courtesy: USATF

Born: March 1, 1971

Allen Johnson, a native of Washington, D.C., is one of the most decorated 110-meter hurdlers of all time. His illustrious career includes four World Championships, three World Indoor titles (60mH), seven national outdoor titles (four of them in consecutive years from 2000-2003), four national indoor titles, a 14-year streak of global top-10 rankings, and an Olympic gold medal from the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Ranked No. 1 by Track & Field News for four years, Johnson ran a record 11 races under 13 seconds. While competing collegiately for the University of North Carolina, he won the 1992 NCAA Championship in the 55mH in a meet-record of 7.07. As a Tar Heel, Johnson set an ACC long jump record and was a four-time conference champion. He still holds school records in the 55mH and 110mH, as well as both indoor and outdoor marks in the long jump. Following his retirement, Johnson coached at both Air Force and the University of South Carolina before taking on his current position as an assistant at the University of Kentucky, where he specializes in sprints, hurdles, horizontal jumps and relays. Johnson in 1997 won USATF’s Jesse Owens Award, which annually recognizes the top male athlete of the year, and he received the USATF/Visa Humanitarian Award in 1999 after leading a successful fundraiser for a new track surface at his former high school. 

About the National Track & Field Hall of Fame

The finalists from each category are selected by a screening panel from a list of nominations. Panelists examine the nominees and evaluate their merits. Elections for modern and veteran athletes are held each year. Elections for coaches are held in odd-numbered years with contributors elected in even-numbered years. Hall of Fame inductees, members of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame board and panels, and members of the media vote on elections for the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.

More information is available at http://www.armorytrack.com/Armory/national-track-and-field-hall-of-fame.

Information provided by Christa Mann, USATF.