Google search yielded this:
https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/things-you-didnt-know-about-sam-elliott/
Known for his wiry figure, it isn’t surprising that Elliott used to be quite athletic and while he may have graduated with a two-year degree from Clark College, his initial dream was to be a track star at University of Oregon. Elliott was actually one of the top prep hurdlers in the state when he enrolled at the UO hoping to become one of legendary UO track and field coach Bill Bowerman’s “Men of Oregon.” “I had visions of being a ‘Man of Oregon’ but didn’t have what it took and was not ever academically inclined, ” Elliott said in a 2017 interview. “I came down here and (messed) around and got booted out.” After lasting only two terms at the University of Oregon, Elliott went to Clark College where his acting career was launched thanks to Guys and Dolls, but he still kept up with athletics, he ran both the 120-yard high hurdles and the 360-yard intermediate hurdles.