Click here to read more Cougar Corner profiles LEROY BURRELL ('94) Running in Place “Running in Place” seems a strange headline for the former world record holder in the 100 meters, but for Leroy Burrell (’94), “place” has been the University of Houston—as a student athlete, as an Olympic trainee, and now as a coach. “I’m a living, breathing testament to the growth of this university,” Burrell, a Houston Alumni Organization Life Member, noted. “It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been on campus in some capacity, and it’s been great to watch the momentum build, to watch countless new buildings pop up.” In 1985, Burrell wasted no time making his mark as a freshman. He broke UH’s freshman long jump record (formerly held by Carl Lewis) with a 26’ 9” jump at a dual meet against UCLA. After an injury-plagued sophomore season, he returned in 1988 earning All-America honors with a fifth-place finish in the 100 meters and a seventh-place showing in the long jump at the NCAA Championships. The next year, he won the NCAA indoor long jump championship, and later set the NCAA outdoor meet record with a personal best jump of 27’ 5.50”. Two weeks later, Burrell won the 100 meters at the USA Outdoor Championships in 9.94 seconds, the fastest time ever recorded by a collegian. He also teamed with Carl Lewis, Danny Everett and current UH assistant coach Floyd Heard to set a world record in the 4x200 meter relay with a time of 1:19.38. As a senior in 1990, Burrell won the NCAA Indoor Long Jump title for the second straight year with a leap of 27 feet. He also won the 100 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships when he posted a wind-aided time of 9.94 seconds. He set the NCAA meet record in the semifinals in 10.03 seconds. His outstanding season resulted in Burrell receiving the Jumbo Elliott Award as the nation’s top collegiate track and field athlete. Graduation didn’t sever Burrell’s connection to the university. He used the athletics facilities as a training center between meets. Burrell and Lewis joined forces at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, when they combined with Mike Marsh and Dennis Mitchell to win the gold medal and set a new world record with a time of 37.40 seconds. Burrell also had a fifth-place finish in the 100 meters at the Olympic Games. In 1996, he earned a spot on the USA Olympic Team, but was forced to withdraw because of an Achilles tendon injury. Two years later, he announced his retirement as the American record holder in the 100 meters and was selected to succeed his collegiate coach and USTCA Hall of Fame coach Tom Tellez at the University of Houston. “It’s a different perspective coaching at your alma mater,” Burrell said. “I can identify with athletes by recalling when I started out here. My experience mirrors theirs. I know what it’s like to take psychology with Dr. Kasschau, or to take English 1303.” Since taking over the program in 1998, Burrell has been named the Conference USA Coach of the Year a combined 15 times after guiding his men’s teams to 10 C-USA indoor and outdoor championships, and his women’s teams to 11 C-USA titles. Individually, Burrell has tutored 37 All-American athletes during his tenure. Now that’s passing the baton. ( more )