Athletic Hall of Fame

Earl Jones

Sport(s): Track

Graduating Class: 2001

Induction Class: 2002

Outstanding trackman from 1983-85...Seven-time NCAA All-American in track for EMU...Also ran three years of cross country...Won three NCAA individual titles and one relay championship, winning the 800-meter indoor and outdoor crowns in 1985 and ran on the winning distance medley relay team indoors in 1984...Set NCAA, EMU varsity and Michigan Intercollegiate records in winning the 1985 indoor 800-meter title in 1:47.26 and set EMU, varsity and Michigan Intercollegiate records in capturing the 1985 outdoor 800-meter title in 1:43.74...Also finished runner-up in the 1500-meter run in 3:41.17 at the 1983 NCAA Outdoor Championships...Also won 10 Mid-American Conference championships, seven as an individual and three as a member of relay teams...Won MAC indoor titles in the 800- and 1500-meters in 1985, the 1,000 meters in 1984 and as a member the winning 1600-meter relay team in 1983...Captured MAC outdoor titles in the 800- and 1500-meter runs in both 1984 and 1985 and ran on the winning 1600-meter relay teams in both 1984 and 1985...Ran on the sprint medley relay team that set a Drake Relays record in winning that event in 1985...Was a member of the indoor sprint medley relay team that set World and American records in 1984...Ran on EMU teams that set records in the 1600-meter relay indoors and outdoors in 1984 and 1985 and set a varsity record in the 1500-meter run outdoors in 1983...Went on to become an international track standout, winning a bronze medal for the United States in the 1984 Olympic Games when he finished third in the 800 meters in 1:43.83, behind gold medalist Joaquim Cruz of Brazil and Sebastian Coe of Great Britain...Set a then-American record in winning the U.S. Olympic Trials 800-meter run in 1:43.74 in 1984...EMU held Earl Jones Night, Feb. 16, 1985, during a basketball game to honor him for his outstanding contributions to Eastern Michigan.

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