The Hall of Fame — it is the elite group that legendary coaches and athletes dream of entering at the end of their careers.
One of Oregon’s most storied athletes and coaches is being inducted to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame Dec. 2 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Bill Dellinger, a former Duck athlete, Olympian and coach of 25 years, is being honored by the USA Track and Field Committee, along with three others, for his accomplishments in the sport.The distinguished coach suffered a stroke Aug. 2 and has consistently improved in health as each week has passed.
Dellinger, an Oregon native, won two NCAA titles while at Oregon from 1953-56. After a brief stint in the Air Force, Dellinger made three Olympic appearances. He won a bronze medal in 1964 in the 5,000 meters.
Dellinger began his coaching career in 1965 at nearby Thurston High School, then moved to Lane Community College.
In 1968, Dellinger accepted an assistant coaching position at his alma mater under another Oregon coaching legend, Bill Bowerman. Dellinger became only the third Oregon track and field coach ever in 1973.
While at Oregon, Dellinger tutored such running legends as Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazaar, Rudy Chapa, Bill McChesney and Matt Centrowitz. During that time, Oregon has won four NCAA cross country titles and one track and field championship.
Dellinger retired at the end of the 1998 cross country season. He became the interim coach at Wake Forest and individually coached a number of post-collegians but has since retired completely.
Dellinger will be joined by fellow Olympians Chandra Cheeseborough, Arnie Robinson and Maren Seidler.
“It is always an honor to welcome new members to the Hall of Fame,” USA Track and Field CEO Craig Masback said. “All represented the United States with distinction at the Olympic Games and all are worthy of this honor.”
The quartet will raise the number of inductees in the Hall of Fame to 184.