Crouser Family Rules NCAA Throwing Events

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Crouser Family Rules NCAA Throwing Events

The first family of throwing.

Dean and Brian Crouser of Oregon made history in 1982, becoming the first siblings to win NCAA titles in different events at the same NCAA Outdoor Championships*.

That’s in any event – but this time it involves throwing that’s never been seen again.

Each of the Crouser’s victories were special (The two actually combined for three that year).

Dean, then a junior, was the first Crouser to win an NCAA title, claiming the discus crown on Friday at 63.22m (207-5). He was a favorite there, but not in the shot put on Saturday when he produced a victory in the closest competition in meet history – just 1 centimeter (one-quarter inch) separated him from Mike Lehman of Illinois at 20.84m (68-4½) to 20.83m (68-4¼).

Both of Dean’s winning marks in 1982 were the third best in meet history at the time.

“This is the happiest day of my life,” Dean told Dave Kayfes of the Eugene Register-Guard after his shot victory. “I still can’t believe it. I was so sure Lehman was going to come back on his last one.”

Brian, then a 19-year-old freshman, completed the sibling double – on Saturday before Dean’s shot win – by winning the javelin title and becoming the first freshman to do so. The younger Crouser had three marks that would have won. His best of 83.72m (274-8) was also the third best in meet history, just like his older brother in the discus and shot.

“I thought I could do it,” Brian told Kayfes, who noted that Brian turned to his headphones between efforts. “It (the radio) just took my mind off of it (the competition) and got me psyched up, too.”

A year later, Dean won the NCAA discus with a meet-record 65.88m (216-2). Then, two years later in 1985, Brian won a second NCAA javelin title, becoming the first freshman – man or woman – to also win the event as a senior.

The Crouser throwing tree had other branches, too. Dean’s son, Sam, won NCAA javelin titles in 2014 and 2015 at Oregon. Ryan Crouser – nephew to both Dean and Brian – won NCAA Outdoor shot titles in 2013 and 2014 at Texas, plus an Olympic gold in 2016.

Spoiler alert: There’s a Carter family in Texas that also has its own unique history that will be given its own special article in the future.

*You might remember the first pair of siblings were Mack and Jackie Robinson, but in different years (1938 and 1940) and for different programs (Oregon and UCLA).

posted: July 28, 2020
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

The NCAA and collegiate track & field will mark a momentous milestone in the spring of 2021 -- the 100th anniversary of the NCAA Championships and with that, the NCAA Track & Field Championships. In June 1921, the University of Chicago hosted the first track & field championships in NCAA history.

This point can’t be emphasized enough: Not only was the event the first for NCAA track & field, but the first championships for any sport under the sponsorship of the NCAA.

To celebrate, over each of the next 365 days, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will celebrate moments, student-athletes, and coaches that have made a century’s worth of championships special. From humble beginnings to important historical milestones to the modern-day, collegiate track & field has evolved with the American society.

The 2021 edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin with preliminary round action on May 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla., and College Station, Texas. The championships final site and culmination of the celebration is slated for June 9-12, 2021 at the newly rebuilt Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Memorable Moments
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!

Little Made Big 400H History
June 11, 2016

Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs

Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.

Walton Started It All In The 800

Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.

Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History

Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).