2010 Hall of Fame Inductee
A two-time Olympic finalist in the men’s 1,500m (6th in 1960, 5th in 1964), Burleson won that event at the Olympic Trials in both those years. Burleson was a three-time NCAA champion (1,500m/Mile: 1960 1,500m, 1961 mile, 1962 mile) at the University of Oregon, who twice held the U.S. Outdoor 1,500m record (3:41.3 & 3:40.9, 1960) and the U.S. outdoor mile record (3:58.6 in 1960 & 3:57.6 in 1961). In 1965 he set the U.S. indoor 1,500m record of 3:42.8, and in 1961 he set the U.S. mile record of 4:03.8. He also held the U.S. 2-mile record when he ran 8:42.5 in 1962, and was a member of the quartet that set the 4xMile world record of 16:09 in 1962. He was ranked top ten in the world at 1,500m on seven occasions, and was ranked #1 globally in 1961. Burleson was the first runner ever to break the four-minute mile barrier at the University of Oregon’s famed Hayward Field. Following his athletic career Burleson served as a Linn County Parks (Oregon) Administrator. Championships 1960 Olympic Games: 1,500 m - 3:40.90 (6th) 1964 Olympic Games: 1,500 m - 3:40.00 (5th) 1959 USA Outdoor Championships: 1 mi. - 3:47.50 (1st) 1960 Olympic Trials: 1,500 m - 3:46.90 (1st) 1961 USA Outdoor Championships: 1 mi. - 4:04.90 1963 USA Outdoor Championships: 1 mi. - 3:56.70 (1st) 1964 Olympic Trials: 1,500 m - 3:41.20 (1st)