John Lovett (1982) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

John Lovett

Induction:
1982
Class:
1954

1950-53
Cross Country/Rifle
‘54
From 1949-1953 John Lovett was a busy individual at UA, competing in three sports-cross country, track and riflery. The last two years he competed despite being married and working a full-time job at General Tire. Needless to stay, Lovett was a dedicated athlete with tremendous determination and character. When John’s first year was hampered by injuries, no-one would have blamed him had he decided to drop athletics. Fortunately for the UA track program he preserved to become one of the finest distance harriers ever for the Zips. In his sophomore season, the 5-9, 124-pound paced the track team in scoring with seven victories in the two-mile run. In 1951, Lovett helped bring the cross country back into UA athletic told for the first time since 1935. He promptly finished third in the Ohio Conference (OC) Championship and was thus invited to Michigan State for the NCAA Meet where he wound up 89th out of 134 entrees. Somehow Lovett, an ROTC cadet, found time between the cross country and track season to make the Zip riflery team that captured the Lake Erie Intercollegiate Rifle Conference Championship. Later that year in track, he earned 13 first-place finishes in the mile and two-mile runs again was the high point scorer with 67 points. As a result, Lovett became the first recipient of the Touchdown Club Trophy as the Most Outstanding Track Performer. The banner year for Lovett was undoubtedly his senior campaign. He began the year 1952-53 by capturing the OC individual crown. And for the third consecutive season paced UA in scoring with 80 points and had a team-leading 14 first place in his specialties. Once again, Lovett was honored at UA’s Outstanding Trackman with the Touchdown Club Trophy. Upon graduation in 1954, Lovett was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. The career officer rose to the rank of Colonel before recently retiring.