Dean Cromwell (1995) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Dean Cromwell

Induction:
1995

The roots of USC's preeminence in track and field date back to the Dean Cromwell era. Nicknamed "The Maker of Champions," his Trojans won a record 12 NCAA men's championships under his direction as coach from 1909-13 and 1916-1948. Troy won an unprecedented 9 consecutive NCAA crowns from 1935-43. He was 109-48-1 in dual meets. His athletes won 34 NCAA individual titles. In 2000, he was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Century. "The Dean" personally tutored champions in every Olympic Games from 1912 to 1948 and he even was selected as head coach of the U.S. Olympic team at the 1948 London Games. Cromwell also coached USC's football team to a 21-8-6 mark in 5 years (1909-10, 1916-18) and was the Trojan basketball coach in 1918. He died on Aug. 3, 1962, at age 82.