Dyrol Burleson, Oregon: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

Dyrol Burleson was a dominant middle-distance runner, who enjoyed a remarkable college career in the early 1960s. 

As a high school student from Cottage Grove, Ore., Burleson had already established himself as a standout athlete by setting a national record in the mile. He enrolled at the University of Oregon and made an immediate impact, breaking the U.S. college freshman record in the mile twice. 

In the summer of 1959, before he was even eligible to compete for the university, Burleson won the 1500-meter title at the AAU Championships and then went on to capture gold in the same event at the Pan-American Games. He also won the 1500 meters in the U.S.-USSR dual meet.

Burleson’s college career was nothing short of phenomenal. He never lost a collegiate race at any distance and won three consecutive NCAA titles in the mile/1500 meters from 1960 to 1962. He set collegiate and American records in the 1500, mile, and two mile. He became the second American to break four minutes in the mile and also anchored Oregon relay teams to collegiate records three times, including a world record in the 4xMile.