Carroll Hardy (2002) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame - University of Colorado Athletics

Carroll Hardy

Induction:
2002
Class:
1956

10 letters at Colorado in football, baseball and track
All-Century Football Team Member
Two-time Honorable Mention All-American
All-Time CU Batting Average and Triples Leader

Carroll Hardy was one of the most prolific three-sport athletes in CU history, earning a total of 10 letters in football, baseball and track. An honorable mention football All-American in 1953 and 1954 and an all-Big Seven pick as a senior, he rushed for 1,999 career yards, with his 6.87 per carry easily the best-ever at Colorado for any player with 60 or more carries. He also scored 152 points, second most at the time and still 14th best in Buff history. In baseball, he was CU’s all-time career batting average leader (.392), twice batting over .400, and also is CU’s career triples leader with 12. As a sprinter on the track team, he once ran a 9.8 in the 100-yard dash, one of the fastest times posted for the day. Hardy is one of just a few to play two professional sports, spending one year with the San Francisco 49ers (1955) and eight years in baseball with four different teams. As a major league baseball player with the Boston Red Sox, he is also remembered for being the only man to pinch hit for the late Ted Williams. Carroll is a member of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and was named to CU’s All-Century Team in 1989.
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