EUGENE, Ore. – For more than 100 years, Hayward Field has been home to countless athletes and recording breaking events. From Steve Prefontaine to Ashton Eaton and every runner after, the University of Oregon and Eugene have grown into what we know as TrackTown USA.
To tell the story of track and running in Eugene, we have go back to 1895. UO eventually getting on the map with its first Olympian in 1908 after the connection Bill Hayward’s coaching established. Since his coaching, there’s been a long legacy of coaches and athletes that have come through TrackTown USA. Bill Bowerman’s appearance to the track and field scene in the 1960s helped further the evolution of running.
Hayward Hall located in the tower of Hayward Field is a 4,00 sq. ft. home to plenty of trophies, archives, memorabilia and more to showcase how TrackTown came to be. Amongst the archives are some of Bowerman’s original writings. Writings mentioning everything that people should consider when running; what to wear, eat, how to sleep and much more…