LOS ANGELES - USC Track and Field great, Earl McCullouch, is about to receive one of the highest honors in collegiate athletics. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has announced his induction into their prestigious Collegiate Hall of Fame.
McCullouch, who graduated from USC in 1968, was a force on the track, earning four NCAA All-American honors. His accolades include standout performances in the 120-meter hurdles, 110-meter hurdles, and as a vital part of USC's 4x100-meter relay team.
He was a dominant figure in the national circuit, clinching consecutive NCAA titles in the 120-meter high hurdles in both 1967 and 1968, and securing the NCAA indoor 60-meter high hurdles championship. His prowess wasn't just limited to national success; in 1967, he took home gold in the 110-meter hurdles and the 4x100-meter relay at the Pan American Games.
Already celebrated as a member of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame since 2007, this new induction into the USTFCCCA Collegiate Hall of Fame is another jewel in the crown of McCullouch's illustrious career.
But McCullouch wasn't just a track star. He also shone on the gridiron as a wide receiver for the Trojans.
In 1967, he was named First-Team All-Pac-8, First-Team AP All-Coast, and UPI All-Coast, playing a crucial role in USC's national championship-winning team. His football talents were further highlighted in the 1968 College All-Star Game, where he caught two touchdown passes.
McCullouch took his football skills to the professional level with the Detroit Lions, who drafted him in 1968. His impact was immediate, earning him NFL Rookie of the Year honors. He spent seven seasons with the Lions before a trade sent him to the New Orleans Saints in 1974, after which he retired from professional football.
The induction ceremony for the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame class is set for Sunday, June 7, at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon. This event, which is free and open to the public, will take place just days before the 2026 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field.