Fred Kelly (2003) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Fred Kelly

Induction:
2003
Class:
1915

Fred Kelly was USC’s first Olympic gold medalist, winning the 110-meter high hurdles in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics as a Trojan freshman. A 4-year letterman (1912-13-14-15), he captained the 1914 Trojans. Known for his versatility, he competed in the high and low hurdles, the long jump and the shot put. Coach Dean Cromwell called him “the greatest track and field performer of all time.” He set a U.S. record in the 220-yard low hurdles. After USC, he joined the Army, learned to fly and became a celebrated pilot, often flying Will Rogers. In 1925, he was the first pilot for Western Airlines, the nation’s first regularly-scheduled airline (he retired in 1946). He died on May 7, 1974, at age 82.