University of Michigan Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2019
Dating back to his All-America, record-breaking career at Michigan, Willis has long been one of the world's premier middle-distance runners. The New Zealander won NCAA titles for the Wolverines in the mile (2005) and the distance medley relay (2004) among his five All-America performances on the track, in addition to two All-America honors in cross country. Willis broke collegiate records in the indoor 3,000 meters (7:44.90) and distance medley relay (9:27.77) in 2004 and in the 4xMile relay outdoors in 2005. He also owns the outdoor school record at 5,000 meters (13:27.54). His collegiate success translated directly to one of the most prolific outdoor careers in world history. He represented New Zealand at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and in the six of the past seven biennial IAAF World Championships. Willis won the 1,500-meter bronze medal at the 2008 Games, which was later upgraded to a silver due to disqualifications, and he claimed the bronze medal at the 2016 edition of the Games. With a career best of 3:29.66 at 1,500 meters, he is the 26th-fastest man in the history of the world in that event. He has broken four minutes in the mile more than 50 times between the track and the road, doing so in 17 consecutive years, including 2019. He graduated from U-M with a degree in economics and was inducted into the Michigan Men's Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2015. He is the 24th inductee from the men's track and field program.
