IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
Albert Taylor Jr. knows the meaning of hard work, diligence, and fearlessness, and has more honors standing as testament to those qualities than can be listed here – honors achieved on both the field of athletic competition and the field of battle as an officer with the U.S. Army.
His IUP athletic career with the Track and Field team from 1992 through 1996 included the 110-meter high hurdles, the 4 x 100 relay, and the 400-meter hurdles. Â During that time, Taylor became the first IUP athlete to qualify and compete on the NCAA Indoor Track Championships, persevering through two near-crippling injuries to compete in three NCAA Championships, setting IUP records for the 110 meter high hurdle in 1992 and the 4 x 100 relay in 1995, and being named a four-time PSAC Champion and six-time NCAA All-American.
Taylor’s career in the armed forces is just as impressive, having earned numerous distinctions, including the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and many others.
The native of Derry, PA, attended Derry Area High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from IUP in criminology in 1994.  He and his wife, Heather, live in Colorado Springs, CO, and have seven children, Logan, Autumn, Angelica, Orion, Phoenix, Gavin, and Albert III.
