HOUSTON (July 5) - Former University of Houston track & field star and U.S. Olympian Leonard Hilton passed away on Tuesday, July 4, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Hilton, a UH letterman from 1967-71, was a member of the 1972 United States Olympic team and two-time American champion in the mile in 1973 and '75 . In addition to earning the distinction as the first native Texan to run a sub-four-minute mile, Hilton was also the anchor of the Cougars' relay team that set a world record in the indoor distance medley relay in 1970.

Originally from Hillsboro, Texas, and a graduate of Austin High School in Houston, Hilton became the first Cougar miler to break the four-minute barrier. He accomplished that feat a stunning 32 times in official competitions. Hilton made the Olympic team in 1972 as a runner in the 5,000 meters. At the Olympic Trials in a Eugene, Oregon, Hilton battled Steve Prefontaine in the 5,000 before finishing third in the event.

Hilton, 52, earned his degree in engineering from UH and later served as vice president of operations with Kinder Morgan Energy and Enron Corp. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in spring of 1999.

He is survived by his wife Christie, and their foster children Elsa and Gabriella Castellon Quisbert. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, from 5-7 p.m. at the J.B. Earthman-Tanglewood Chapel (5740 San Felipe) followed by a tribute to his running career at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Saint Michael's Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Leonard Hilton Scholarship fund at the University of Houston. Contributions may be sent to Leonard Hilton Scholarship Fund, 1922 W. Bell, Houston, Texas 77019.