Don Quarrie (2015) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Don Quarrie

Induction:
2015
Class:
1973

Don Quarrie, affectionately known as “DQ,” was one of the world’s greatest sprinters. The two-time (1972-73) letterman (he transferred to Troy after a season at Nebraska) and 1973 Trojan captain owned the USC record in the 220-yard dash (20.2 in 1973). He also anchored USC’s world record-setting 880-yard relay in 1972 (1:20.7). He competed in five Olympics (1968-72-76-80-84) for his native Jamaica, winning a gold medal in the 200 meters in 1976, silvers in the 100 meters in 1976 and in the 400-meter relay in 1984 and a bronze in the 200 in 1980. He twice tied the world record in the 200 (19.8) and once in the 100 (9.9), becoming one of just several to hold both marks simultaneously. He was ranked No. 1 in the world in the 100 and 200 in 1976, and first in the 200 in 1975 (he was in the Top 10 nine years overall in the 200 and six times in the 100). He was the U.S. 100 champ twice and three times in the 200. He also won six gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and three at the Pan American Games. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team. A legend in Jamaica, he has a statue outside the national stadium, a high school named after him and reggae songs about him. After his sprinting career concluded, he coached the sport locally and internationally. His daughters, Tara and Kira, both were sprinters at USC. He was in the 1990 inaugural class of the USC track and field program’s Heritage Award winners.