Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
Athlete 1982 - 1985
Knee deep in football since he was six years old, Floyd Halvorsen Jr. of the Class of 1986, tackled his way into the Linfield record books. He had a reputation for being in the right place at the right time on the football field.
As a four-year letterman, he was a two-time first team all-conference defensive back, as well as a two-time first team NAIA All-American in 1984 and 1985. He received recognition on the Little all-Northwest squad as a junior and a senior.
Halvorsen continues to hold several Linfield records. He ranks first in single-season unassisted tackles (92), is second in single-season total tackles (116), ranks No. 4 in career total tackles (271) and holds the mark in career unassisted tackles (206).
Former Linfield coach Jay Locey called Halvorsen at the time our most consistent defensive back. He has good athletic ability. He has a feel for the game which you need in a safety. He's a heady ballplayer with good agility and strength.
He was a player on Linfield's 1982 and 1984 national title teams and was an assistant coach of the defensive secondary during the 1986 championship season.
During 1984, he played a key role in one of the most memorable playoff games in Linfield history. Down 22-0 in the third quarter to Northwestern (Iowa), the Wildcats rallied to shock the Raiders with a 33-22 upset.
He is a 1982 graduate of Eugene's Churchill High School, where he competed in football, basketball and baseball. He grew up on the football sidelines as a ballboy for his father, Floyd Sr., who coached the Lancers for 25 years while leading Churchill to three state finals appearances. As a senior, Floyd Jr. was voted outstanding male athlete for CHS.
Graduating from Linfield with honors, Halvorsen earned a bachelor's degree in history and mathematics. He returned to Linfield in 1992 to complete his master's degree in education. Today, he teaches mathematics at Sunset High School, where he earned the Excellence in Education Award in 2006. He mentors students and is a mathematics coach. He served as varsity football coach at SHS from 1994 until 2006 (where he an assistant before the head coach), and is a track and field assistant coach.
He and his wife, Dana, live in Beaverton with their two sons, Jacob, 10, and Nickolas, 7.
