LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky assistant track and field coach Allen Johnson was announced as the headliner of the 42nd National Track & Field Hall of Fame induction class on Tuesday, Sept. 15. As an athlete, Johnson had one of the greatest hurdling careers in history, highlighted by the 1996 gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles with the Olympic-record time. “I am truly honored to be inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame Class of 2015,” Johnson said. “Thanks to my family, coaches and friends. I couldn’t do it alone.” Johnson is entering his second season as an assistant coach on Edrick Floréal’s track and field coaching staff. “Allen’s induction into the Hall of Fame comes as a result of hard work,” Floréal said. “He spent numerous years as the top hurdler in the world. We can only hope that our student athletes will commit themselves to their goals in a similar fashion. We couldn’t be prouder of Allen.” The rest of the 2015 Hall of Fame class includes Hollis Conway in addition to “veteran” athletes Ralph Mann, Al Blozis and Jack Torrance; and coach Harry Gill. The group will be honored Thursday evening, Oct. 29, at USA Track and Field's Black Tie & Sneakers Gala, hosted at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City. Proceeds from the event support the USATF Elite Athlete Mentorship Program, a new USATF initiative preparing athletes for success after the conclusion of their competitive careers. In addition to his Olympic gold, Johnson is a four-time World Outdoor champion (tied with Michael Johnson and UK alumnus Dwight Phillips for most by an American in one event all-time) and former world record holder. The Washington, D.C. native still holds the record for most 110m hurdles races faster than 13 seconds all-time (11).

Johnson coached at both Air Force and the University of South Carolina before taking on his current position at UK. More information is available at http://www.armorytrack.com/Armory/national-track-and-field-hall-of-fame. Information provided by Christa Mann, USATF.