On Sept. 14, a great gathering took place at the Hult Center for Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon to celebrate the induction of the Class of 2023 into the Collegiate Track and Field/Cross Country Hall of Fame.
14 former standout collegiate track and field and cross country athletes made up the prestigious class of athletes, and each of them have made their mark on the sport of track and field, as well as cross country.
One of the athletes inducted into the Hall of Fame was Sheila Hudson. Hudson competed at the University of California from 1986-1990 in the triple jump and the long jump, and she set the world record in the event in 1987. She won six national titles and still holds the school records in both events at Cal. Her induction into the Hall of Fame and the celebration of her remarkable career is something that meant a great deal to her.
“It’s actually a true honor,” she said. “And when I think about it again, all the other inductees aren’t just some amazing, amazing athletes, so accomplished – a lot of them just sort of paved the way and are pioneers to gold medalist world record holders. It’s quite an honor.”
Hudson’s career is one that has impacted many triple jumpers today. One could argue that if it hadn’t been for her, the event would not be where it is today without her amazing performances and efforts.
Hudson recorded incredible performances in the triple jump before it was recognized globally as an international event. But Hudson was determined to make sure that the event was recognized as an international event, so she fearlessly campaigned for the triple jump to be added to the Olympics. In 1996, her hard work and efforts paid off, as the triple jump was added to track and field at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. Hudson got the opportunity to compete in the event at the Games as well.
Hudson, who is gracious and humble in her demeanor, really doesn’t reflect too often on the big role that she played in making the triple jump an event that’s recognized internationally unless someone mentions it to her. But she takes great pride and joy in what she was able to accomplish, and the opportunities that were opened for other triple jumpers around the world.
“I guess I have to say I do to some degree,” she said. “I mean, obviously, when I was out there, I just loved competing. I love the triple jump. But I do realize that again, I and a lot of my contemporaries, we were all pioneers, we were gonna do everything we could to get the triple jump into the Olympics for women. And so you look at it now, and it’s amazing. Again, just what they’re doing on the world stage with the U.S. So it’s really good to see the next generation of folks coming behind us and doing better than how we did.
I don’t think about it until someone says it out loud. And I think again, there’s a part of me that is really happy and proud to be part of just sort of paving a path, and again, just that other women can kind of come behind and do even better and just put those distances and put those jumps out there. So it’s nice to be part of that history.”
For the younger generation of runners and jumpers who are looking to make a name for themselves, Hudson has a piece of advice for them. Her advice revolves around two mentalities: persistence and perseverance.
“I’d say just believe in yourself and follow your passions,” she said. “I was rather small for a triple jumper, rather petite in stature. And a lot of folks tried to steer me away from the triple jump and maybe said why don’t you go try to be an 800m runner, or do a similar event. And I love the triple jump. I stuck with it. And because of the passion that I had, and the fact that I was persistent and persevered, I was able to accomplish some pretty cool things.”
