Former Jayhawk reflects on career ahead of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction
LAWRENCE (KSNT) - The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony is less than a month away, and another former Jayhawk will be joining.
Clifford Wiley was a member of the Men's Track and Field team at the University of Kansas from 1974-1978.
Originally from Baltimore, Wiley was impressed by Kansas' history of dominance as a part of the Big Eight Conference. The Jayhawks won 58 total men's track and field titles throughout the conference's history. The school won two indoor and two outdoor titles during Wiley's time in Lawrence.
"We were one of the blue bloods of college track and field in those days," Wiley said. "We were very talented, a lot of great guys."
Wiley left his mark on the program as a 13-time NCAA All-American and 1977 National Champion in the 4x400 meter relay.
He and other members of the 1976 4x100 meter relay team still hold the Kansas program record with a time of 39.39 seconds.
At the 1977 International Amateur Athletic Federation World Cup, Wiley and his teammates set a world record in the 4x100 meter relay with a time of 38.03 seconds for Team USA.
Wiley's success continued after college. He's a two-time Pan Am Games Champion and a two-time USA National Champion in the 400 meters. He's also a National Champion in the indoor 440 yards race.
Wiley was apart of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, but never got to live out his dreams.
Moscow was the host city for the 1980 summer games, and after the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter made the decision to boycott.
"It was a tough situation," Wiley said. "I used to get emotional about it, emotion mixed with bitterness. Now I'm just bitter," Wiley said through laughter.
Wiley was excited when he received the news he'd be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and is looking forward to sharing his story.
"Whenever I go into a hall of fame and look at who's there, I always ask, 'Who's that guy, how did he get there? What did he do or what did she do?'" Wiley said. "I think that's important and to be one of those people, I think that's really special. I think it's really special."
Wiley is still actively involved in the local track and field community, serving as the sprinter and relay coach at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, KS. He also helps organize track meets in the area.