Parry O'Brien (1994) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Parry O'Brien

Induction:
1994
Class:
1953

The world’s first 60-foot shot putter, Parry O’Brien competed for USC from 1951-53. He was the NCAA shot put champion in 1952 and 1953. He won 18 national Amateur Athletic Union indoor and outdoor titles (17 in the shot and 1 in the discus throw), and he established shot put world records 16 times. He graduated from USC in 1954. O’Brien competed in four Olympics, winning two gold medals (1952 and 1956) and one silver (1960). He developed the spin technique of throwing the shot. A member of the National track & field hall of fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, he was the 1959 Sullivan Award winner. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team. He then worked in the banking and real estate industries, while also an accomplished shot putter and swimmer in Master’s competitions. He also served as a member of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. He died on April 21, 2007, at age 75.