Ross Reflects on Hall of Fame Career

By Philip Sikes // Athletic Communications

Clemson Athletics inducted six former student-athletes and one administrator into its Hall of Fame this past weekend, including Duane Ross from the men’s track & field program. Ross is still the most decorated male hurdler in Clemson history, winning five ACC titles and the 1995 NCAA crown in the 110 hurdles.

Humbled by his induction into Clemson’s prestigious fraternity, Ross reflected on his collegiate career at a drop-in Friday in the Banks McFadden Building.

“I didn’t want to leave Clemson,” he said. “That’s why I stayed and trained for two years with our sprints coach, Keith Barnier.”

During that time, he also earned his Clemson degree. Ross went on to a long professional career, one that took him to the pinnacle of the sport, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

“I was blessed to have a really long career,” he said. “Making it to Athens was really the highlight of it, and I was fortunate to be able to take my entire family with me.”

Now the head track & field coach at North Carolina A&T, Ross brought his entire family with him this past weekend in his first visit to Tigertown in over six years. The trip reminded him why he chose Clemson in the first place.

“Coach (Bob) Pollock and Mark Block recruited me here from the small town of Dallas, North Carolina,” he said. “I’ll never forget this experience. When you come back to campus, you instantly get that feeling of being back and you miss it. Words can’t explain it; we all just love this place so much.”