USC Track and Field Alum and Olympian Lewis E. “Jumper” Hoyt Dies at 82
September 19, 2025 | Track & Field
LOS ANGELES – USC Track and Field mourns the loss of alum and Golden Eagle CDR Lewis E. "Jumper" Hoyt, USNR (Ret) who passed away at the age of 82 on Sept. 10.
During his time at USC, Jumper became the 1963 national champion in high jump and served as track captain for two years. The All-American was one of the first in the nation to exceed seven feet in the high jump with a career-best jump of 7'2". He went on to secure a spot as an alternate for Team USA for the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.
Jumper graduated from USC in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology earning Dean's List recognition all four years. He also added a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from USC which he earned during off-duty hours while in the Marine Corps.
Jumper enrolled in USMC Officers Candidate School out of USC where he began his service as a Marine Aviator. He accumulated 4,441 hours of flight time, flew 30 missions and earned five Strike/Flight Air medals as a Marine. When he left active duty as a Major after 12 years in the Marine Corps, he joined the Navy Reserves where he flew fighters out of NAS Miramar and eventually retired as a USNR officer. He also joined Western Airlines and Delta Airlines until 2003 for a 25-year career as a commercial airline pilot.
Jumper is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his brother Paul. Memorial services are in the planning stage, and details will be provided on this page when announced.
During his time at USC, Jumper became the 1963 national champion in high jump and served as track captain for two years. The All-American was one of the first in the nation to exceed seven feet in the high jump with a career-best jump of 7'2". He went on to secure a spot as an alternate for Team USA for the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.
Jumper graduated from USC in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology earning Dean's List recognition all four years. He also added a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from USC which he earned during off-duty hours while in the Marine Corps.
Jumper enrolled in USMC Officers Candidate School out of USC where he began his service as a Marine Aviator. He accumulated 4,441 hours of flight time, flew 30 missions and earned five Strike/Flight Air medals as a Marine. When he left active duty as a Major after 12 years in the Marine Corps, he joined the Navy Reserves where he flew fighters out of NAS Miramar and eventually retired as a USNR officer. He also joined Western Airlines and Delta Airlines until 2003 for a 25-year career as a commercial airline pilot.
Jumper is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his brother Paul. Memorial services are in the planning stage, and details will be provided on this page when announced.
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