Dyrol Burleson came up in Cottage Grove, Ore. at a time when the challenge of the four-minute mile captivated the sporting world.

“Burly” was one of the early stars of U.S. miling, was the second American to break four minutes and was a centerpiece of Oregon’s growing reputation for the mile in the early 1960s.

On Thursday, Burleson was selected for entry in the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.

He will be joined by Jearl Miles Clark, Roy Cochran, Ralph Craig and journalist James Dunaway. Craig Virgin, also elected, deferred to 2011 when the ceremony will be closer to his home.

Burleson, 70, was a two-time Olympic finalist in the 1,500 meters, who twice won the Olympic Trials. He placed sixth and fifth.

At the University of Oregon, Burleson won three NCAA titles and helped the Ducks win the 1962 outdoor team title.

He twice held the U.S. 1,500 meter record, twice held the U.S. mile record, and also held the two-mile record. He was part of a world record 4xmile team at Oregon, coached by Bill Bowerman. He was ranked No. 1 globally in the mile in 1961.

He is also the first runner to break the four-minute barrier at Hayward Field.