Ralph Hill – Track & Field

Ralph HillRalph Anthony Hill (December 26, 1908 – October 17, 1994) was an American distance runner. He set an American record over the mile in 1930 and won a silver medal in the 5000 m event at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.

Hill studied at the University of Oregon when competing in the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in the 5000 m. In an exciting race on August 5, 1932, he came in second behind Lauri Lehtinen, with each runner recording a time of 14:30.0. The judges deliberated for an hour before they could decide not to disqualify Lehtinen, as he had appeared to block Hill twice. Hill refused to file a protest, stating that he believed Lehtinen’s obstruction of him was accidental. Lauri Virtanen came in third 14 seconds behind.

After college Hill made a career of farming near Klamath Falls. The local Henley High School renamed its football field in September 1992 after its alumnus Hill.

Hill is a member of the inaugural Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Class of 1980.