2006 Hall of Fame Inductee
As a student at USC, Cawley won the NCAA national title in the 440 yard hurdles in 1963. He set the world record of 49.1 seconds in the 400m hurdles during the 1964 Olympic Trials, becoming a favorite to medal at the Olympic Games. At the Olympics in Tokyo, he defeated his nearest competitor in the event, John Cooper of Great Britain, by 0.5 seconds to take home the gold medal. A two-time USA 400m hurdles champion (1963 & 1965), Cawley was twice world-ranked #1 in the 400-meter hurdles world-ranked by Track & Field News, and he also achieved rankings in the 400m dash and 110m hurdles. Cawley was the runner-up in the 1963 USA vs. Russia dual meet in Moscow with his time of 50.9 seconds before winning against the Russians in another dual affair in 1964 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 49.5 seconds. Events 110 m hurdles - 13.90 400 m hurdles - 49.10 Records Held World Record: 400 m hurdles - 49.10 (September 13, 1964) Championships 1964 Olympic Games: 400 m hurdles - 49.60 (1st) 1963 USA Outdoor Championships: 400 yd. hurdles - 50.40 (1st) 1964 Olympic Trials: 400 m hurdles - 49.10 (1st) 1965 USA Outdoor Championships: 400 yd. hurdles - 50.40 (1st) 1963 NCAA Outdoor Championships: 400 yd. hurdles - 49.60 (1st) Education Undergraduate: University of Southern California, 1963 Occupations Worked in medical/electronics industry and later became a travel agent.