George Varoff (1994) - Hall of Fame - University of Oregon Athletics

George Varoff

Induction:
1994
Class:
1939

Before he ever took a jump for Oregon, he was a national champion and owned the world record. While everything else could have seemed anticlimactic, he didn’t allow that to happen. He held both the indoor and outdoor all-time bests at the same time during 1937, owning the indoor mark for nearly two years. He dared to challenge USC’s supremacy as the vaulting mecca of collegiate track and field and battled the legendary Cornelius Warmerdam for national recognition.

He claimed the ultimate track distinction, clearing 14-62 outdoors in New York City, in 1936 and 14-4f indoors the next year. He won three consecutive Northern Division titles in 1937-39, secured the Pacific Coast Conference crown in 1938 and recorded three runner-up NCAA finishes in succession. He shared the 1938 AAU spotlight with Warmerdam, then interrupted his reign by capturing the 1939 title following his senior season. He joined the Air Force not long after graduation, ending his vaulting career.