Jerry Tarr (1992) - Hall of Fame - University of Oregon Athletics

Jerry Tarr

Induction:
1992
Class:
1962

They say he lacked style, that he ran like a football player, which he was. Regardless, few skimmed the hurdles like him, even prompting claims as the world’s greatest hurdler. Had he not chosen professional football with the Denver Broncos following his days at Oregon, track aficionados said the breadth of his potential was limitless.

He won every race he ran in the high and low hurdles and a member of the 440-yard relay. At the NCAA meet that spring, he set an American record in the highs, won the intermediates as a relative novice and helped the Ducks match the world record in the relay. Oregon won the team title, the school’s first, by an incredible 44-point margin.