Bio

Allen Hazard is an outstanding Southwestern College graduate who has made a name for himself in all three areas of his profession. He is an accomplished Exercise Science and Health Education Professor, a Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager, a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, and a Health Education Coordinator. Any one of these careers would occupy a normal person for more than the usual 40 to 50 hours a week; however, Allen has found a way to merge all three of his careers, and consequently, has made significant contributions to his field, his students, and our community as well.

Allen Hazard graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1971. As a gifted runner on the cross country and track teams, he ran the fifth fastest mile in Sweetwater High School history, was a member of the 1969 and the 1970 Metro League Cross Country Championship teams as well as the 1969 CIF Cross Country Championship Team.

From 1971 to 1973, Allen attended Southwestern College and participated in intercollegiate cross country and track and field. A passionate runner and a fierce competitor, he ran 29 races for the “Apaches” as a freshman, about two or three times the normal number of races run by ordinary runners, and helped his track team improve their wins to a 5 and 5 record in dual meets. Amazingly, on one occasion, Allen ran the 880, the mile and the three mile race in a single dual meet, winning all three races. When he graduated, he had set eight new school records, recorded the fastest mile in school history, won the 1972 Coaches Award in Track, and was named “Captain” of the track team. In addition, Allen wrote sports copy for the college paper.

Allen moved on to San Diego State University, where he earned his B.A. in History and Physical Education and his M.A. in Exercise Science. While at SDSU, he competed on the 1975 and 1976 Cross Country and Track and Field teams. In 1975, he won the All Pacific Coast Athletic Association Mile, and in 1976, recognized for his dedication and passion for running, he was selected Team Captain once again. The 1976 team was ranked in the top 25 of the NCAA Division One Dual Meet Teams. His personal records include running the second fastest 1,500 meters in SDSU history –3:47.2 (about a 4:04 mile) and being a member of the second fastest Distance Medley team in SDSU history.

After Allen received his Master’s degree in Exercise Science from SDSU in 1982, he began working as a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation at Palomar Hospital. For 20 years, he has taught nutrition, anatomy, physiology, stress management, and exercise physiology to cardiac, pulmonary, and adult fitness groups. He has since worked at Scripps and Sharp hospitals but is currently back working at Palomar Hospital.

As a college professor, Allen has taught Health Education classes at Southwestern College since 1994 as an adjunct professor. He has also taught Nutrition, Intro to EKG, Kinesiology, First Responder at National University and other local community colleges since 2003. His philosophy to live the principles of health he teaches in his classroom is well respected by his students, as is his attention to detail and the health anecdotes he shares in his lectures.
Allen has served as Health Education Coordinator for the Health and Wellness Program for Sharp Hospital and the Urban League, administrating programs in teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS prevention. He has also served on the South Bay American Heart Association Board from 1995 to 1999 and the California Society for Cardiac Rehabilitation Board from 1999 to 2001.

In his “spare time” Allen found time to run for the National Champion Maccabi Union Track Club from 1977 to 1979. He also served as the Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach at SDSU in 1980 and 1981, coaching several Olympic athletes and Graeme Fell to All-American Division One status in 1981. He also coached Gail Devers during her senior year (1984) at Sweetwater High School. Gail, an All-American in three track events, went on to win three Olympic Gold Medals.

Allen has been married for 15 years to Janet O’Dea, his jogging partner since 1997. He says, “She is not as fast as my former Sweetwater High, Southwestern College or SDSU teammates, but she is just as dedicated and much more fun to run with!”

Allen’s community service includes working with the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) a group that works to preserve historic sites around San Diego County. He has served as the Chairperson of their Annual Historic Home Tour, the largest in the country, in 2005, 2012, and 2013. SOHO has recognized Allen’s contributions by awarding him three People in Preservation (PIP) Awards. Impressively, Allen and Janet prepared all the research on the Mission Hills Historic District.

It is easy to see that Allen Hazard has led a full and varied life, and he typifies the kind of individual who brings pride, not only to himself, but also to the colleges he has attended. It is for this reason that Southwestern College is extremely honored to induct Allen Hazard into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2013.