1995 Hall of Fame Inductee
Calmly, adroitly, and often silently behind the scenes, Dr. Clayne Jensen has orchestrated a great deal of success for the BYU men's and women's athletic programs.
Jensen has worn many titles comfortably during his 31 years of service to Brigham Young University: athletic director, dean, associate vice president, professor, administrator, author, husband, father, and fan. During the 18 years he was dean of the College of Physical Education and the four years he was associate vice president, both the men's and the women's athletic programs reported to him. For 19 of those years he served as BYU's faculty representative to the Western Athletic Conference and the NCAA.
More recently Jensen was a key administrator in organizing the WAC's expansion from 10 to 16 teams and creating the seminal postseason alliance between the Western Athletic Conference and the Holiday and Cotton Bowls.
He has been consistently engaged in the planning, developing, and financing of sports facilities at BYU. As dean and associate dean he was involved in the planning and construction of the Marriott Center, the expansion of Cougar Stadium and the creation of BYU's new track facility. He also gave principal leadership to several Smith Fieldhouse renovations, including the athletic strength and conditioning facility.
During his two-year tenure as director of athletics, he arranged for the $1 million improvement of the tennis facilities and the $3.5 million project now underway in the Smith Fieldhouse. Further, he leaves the athletic department debt-free, with a strong financial base for the future.
In Jensen's many years of administrative responsibility, he has been pivotal in positioning athletics within the university and the community. His leadership, his role in hiring and supervising athletic personnel and his integrity in dealing with other universities has made him a stabilizing force for BYU athletics during an era concurrent with three BYU presidents, three WAC commissioners and a host of coaches and athletes.
After three decades of working together at BYU, Coach LaVell Edwards said, "Of all the people here, I don't know of anyone who's given me more personal help than Clayne Jensen." Perhaps because of his own success as a world-class hurdler/sprinter and coach of the All-Service Track and Field Team, Jensen has a special ability to administrate athletics. He has given acute attention to detail without ever forgetting to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of the coaches, the athletes, and the university.
Among other achievements in a storied career, he has authored 16 books, chaired seven NCAA committees and served a four-year term on the NCAA Governing Council. However, the accomplishments that mean the most to Clayne Jensen are his marriage to Elouise Henrie and the relationships he and his wife have with their four sons, other members of their family and their many friends.