Don't count on it. Nike's Phil Knight has given Oregon hundreds of millions. Even their basketball arena has his late son's name on it. Nike would not exist without Oregon T&F, so Uncle Phil is making sure Track Town, America has the best track stadium in America.

@@shazzarkallie He is a businessman. What did you expect?

@@shazzarkallie He loves it too just like we do.

But it goes further with him. Bill Bowerman was his mentor and he gave all he had to you too. Let's always be respectful of all that gave you the chance to be the greatest ever in Athletics. Thank you Phil and Penny Knight.

It really has nothing to do with Oregon. Phil Knight co founder of Nike has given millions and millions to Oregon to support every sport they have, including a quarter billion for Hayward Field's renovation. Talk about “buying" a way to entice athletes to come to Oregon. Oregon University had nothing to do with it but to say, “thank you Phil Knight.” He even bought surrounding land for their venues, then turned around and sold the land for a dollar an acre to Oregon University.

@@SC-mw2yc you do know that he went to the school and also ran track on Oregon team.

@@meertillman9718...I’m just saying they have benefitted tremendously from Nike, like no other university has from any one single donor I believe, thats all....

@@SC-mw2yc Phil Knight is a 83 year old worth $50 billion who ran for the Ducks and helped found Nike with his college track coach who invented the waffle sole. Why not give back to his school because without U of Oregon there would be no Nike.

@@shazzarkallie ...I’m only making the argument of Oregon benefitting largely because of the association. Nothing wrong with it, it’s all legal I guess. Just don’t sell me on Oregon being a big sports draw based on long time traditional excellence outside of Knights monetary influence to coerce recruits to come. Remember, Oregon feast largely on So Cal players, not Oregon born athletes...

Cool! I know you got paid, lol, but Thank You!

Great job bro, Looks freaking awesome 👍

@Terry Bierwirth You are so right. They worked long hours for us to get this done. Thank you.

And the 2022 World Championships

Yes, the crowds will come.

Let's support the Pre Classic this year in August. Make it a big deal for the memory of the one athlete that gave his all so you could have all this. Please come and give the best you have like he did. Go PRE!

@@netaprefontaine4795 My wife, Deborah Power, and I will most definitely be there. There will never be another University of Oregon athlete as electrifying as your brother. He will always be a hero of mine.

My first impression was "I miss the old grandstand and field," mostly because that's where all my memories are - Webb breaking Ryun's record, Pre battling Lindgren, Shorter, et al. The new facility looked a bit too glitzy (that tower?!). But ... having gone to college in the early 70's, when Tartan tracks were still a novelty, I realize I have to put my glitz-aversion aside. The athletes' facilities here are out of this world, and THAT'S what's important - focusing on the athletes. Yeah, if I were a HS stud this year I'd be camped out by my phone, waiting for that call from U of O. Best. Recruiting. Tool. Ever!

@Brodie Waldock Steve Prefontaine said to me in 1973: "If you want to be the best, Oregon is the place to be." ;)

@@fcdphilly Kids today take the phone with them. Back in the day, recruiting was often done by...snail mail. lol.

@@ericlindsey3069 Nice to hear that Brodie. It is from Nike to all of you athletes. Steve paved the way for you guys. Go Pre.

@@netaprefontaine4795 Aw, nice to hear that. Best to you.

I too bleed green & gold!! UO is my alma mater. Graduated in the late 90’s. And this facility is AWESOME! This Hayward Field is so much more geared towards today and tomorrow’s athlete vs yesterday’s Hayward Field. I did not chose UO because of sports but because of their small science dept (yep small science dept) and it was a local uni. (Lived 2.5mi away and could ride bike)

@@SaschiesMum Green and yellow -- not gold.

The track has been locked up when not in use, to preserve the surface from the public "over loving it." I would expect there to be "all-comers" meets in summer when you might get into to do a race.

Have you tried hopping the fence? I know I would. I would run at least a lap around the track before anyone caught me.

Don't forget Steve Prefontaine, the soul of Nike, the company Bowerman and Knight founded!

@@shazzarkallie Of course. I met him as a kid. He was approachable and encouraging.

@@shazzarkallie Pre wore Adidas.

@@fosbury68 They all did before Nike got into the spikes business. Bowerman was okay with him wearing the best shoe for him, whatever brand, until Nike started making shoes that worked for him, then Prefontaine was a marketing employee with Nike.

Amen to that.

Hope to see around the field one day bro, Go Ducks!

The sprint coaches are amazing, and now the winter indoor training option is enhanced and inviting for sprinters from any clime.

Yes. It does help.

Good Luck, Caden! Go Ducks!

Hope to see you on the track in green and yellow bud.

@@kenmahoney5255 Have a great showing for all of your people here in Eugene. We love you.

If you want it go get it. That's the Pre Way.

You are getting the best there is and following in my brother's legacy. You will be thrilled by this gesture of love Phil has for all of you. Show him your best.

@@netaprefontaine4795 Aww thanks

Nice to know you like it.

Totally agree.

👍

Tell them how you feel about it. They would love to know you like it.

Phil did this for all athletes and I hope you will tell him how much you love it.

Yes, change is good. Thank you for the positive attitude. Hayward still lives.

A new era of love for the athlete. The best you can have. Just come and see.

Yes, they did their best to give you and all athletes the best money could buy. Now you can show the world what you really have for talent. Go get it.

Yes, great credit goes to Vin as well. Many had a hand in bringing the WC's to Eugene, all played a part in this evolution. I was surprised when Vin decide to leave Eugene, but a coach is a coach in blood and deed and great to see him pursue his bliss of mentoring young athletes to achieve their best.

Just make it happen, John.

Tell Phil Knight thar.

It is the best we could ever wish for our athletes. Hugs.

Helps that Nike was evented right there on that field, with Mrs Bowerman's waffle iron!

I know right! I moved away from Eugene in 1999 and the things I’ve seen built on that campus via pics and videos blows my frickin mind. It’s not the University of Oregon I use to know. I can’t wait to go back and visit!

No just the riches mentors that does help.

This is the best and you are the best.

Just do it Ellis 👍

You can do it. Just be the best you can and get it.

I am sure that is why Phil Knight and others made it for you athletes. To have a even chance when going to Europe. Now you are even. Have fun.

I am hoping you will be here too. I believe in you. Come and be a Duck. We need you. Hugs.

Yes it is the best for you athletes. This is for the future to help you excel, Hugs.

You haven't even seen the other athletic support facilities not at the track, lol.

@@ericlindsey3069 So?

Not ever school gets this love. Enjoy the goodies.

SAME

Not only that...the coaches are pretty darned fantastic too.

@@ericlindsey3069--yes they are for you and your needs. They are true professionals and know they're just interested in making you better.

No. My brother knew what he wanted and worked for it. His dream came true. He got to go to the Munich Olympics. That was his dream. A gold was next.

I look forward to seeing you here one day. Hugs.

Again, he seemed to be a futurist to me and wanted to see positive change to support the sport and athletes. I think he'd love it. He was also a bit of an artist, so I think he'd appreciate the artistic edge of the design/s.

@@ericlindsey3069 Yes, I agree with you. He would have been tickled about the light show of him in the museum there. He would not have believed this grandeur. It is a lot to take in and I was flabergasted too. But nothing is to good for the Ducks and the many athletes that come from out of our country and settle here. We love all of you. Enjoy.

legend.

Steve was an example for greatness. He lead the way for you. Don't let him down.

Amen!

@@netaprefontaine4795 Prefontaine... Any relationship?? Lol

@@jaredweiss2136 yes! i am the older one,

@@netaprefontaine4795 Wow, pleasure to meet you! 😄

Yes, U of O has everything. It's all beautiful.

Only the best will be here. Standing in the hall of fame.

Amen

I haven't inspected all the images, but I imagine there are or will be plenty of things to honor Pre.

@@ericlindsey3069 no I was there yesterday . NOTenough

Re-watch the Video, he's on the other side, it's a young Pre, so you may not recognize it. I just watched the video again and saw him.

Someday there should be a statue of Pre next to Bowerman. It only seems right.

He is on the left side of the tower. Full-length photo.It is great.

At least come some summer to an all-comers meet and have a race. Great fun. And you'll be running in a work of art. :)

You better believe it.

Just do it.

Lol, yeah. It still wasn't finished in 76. Many of us on the team "had" to help finish parts of it. This, to me, is the house that Every Oregon Track and Field Fan and Athlete and the People Of Eugene Springfield and the accomplishments of them all and Hayward, Bowerman, Dellinger, Lannana and Coach Johnson et. al. built. It's from all of them and all of us, to all of us who love our sport. Complete gratitude to all who were Ducks and contributed to the tradition, and of course Uncle Phil cannot be thanked enough.

@@ericlindsey3069 Well spoken.Though Pre was its catalyst along with Bowerman. and Dellinger.

@@chrisestey7277 HE sure helped raise the money for the West Stands for sure. I see what Hayward is today as a bit of the spirit of all who ran for the Ducks. #Run4Ducks! -Coach Johnson's twitter handle :)

@@ericlindsey3069 Get it Went to UCIrvine ran with Steve Scott , we had nothing went back 10 years later to grad school, they spent 300 million on facilities.Yet , we had John Crist. Decathalon Greg Lougannis ect.Every College has Sweat Blood and Tears running through its athletic veins.What made Oregon is Prefontaine. and Nike.Thats the legends, hes the only statue on campus.Im glad you feel apart of a great tradition, but Pre was the guy who took track to a different level , the fact he died so young only added to the myth.

@@chrisestey7277 We may have met, passed each other when Oregon Track visited UCI in 79. Steve was there, at least I ran past him a few times. I see your point, from the outside. However some is generational, and now gender influenced. I am sure there are a ton of gals who are inspired by Raevyn Rodgers amazing accomplishments at OR. Unmatched. She bettered, in her success, about every male athlete who ever went there. And she's still competing, and is an amazing young woman, an talented and inspring artist too! For me, having met many of the athletes of the Pre era, and met Pre, and many of his friends when I was a frosh there, and then the connection to the next great generation with Rupp, and Centro, son of a Duck! While I was only a team member, I race varsity, and was friends with many team members. As we age, it becomes the team experience you remember, the college experience, more than any individual accomplishments. I just feel lucky to have met and seen so many legends compete, and to have worn the same uniform. It was a lot of work. I had little talent, but worked my butt "on" to get fit enough to make the team each year. Now, of course, or sport is so small, it means little to anyone else... I just feel lucky to have taken part, seen so much, met so many good people. Once a Duck, Always a Duck... V-Cool that you were a college athlete too. So few get to do it.

He'd love it. He was for change, improvement and appreciation of the sport.

We are the lucky ones. Let's have a beer and celebrate another historical wonder.

Say it louder lol

They are hosting a track & field tournament today, and I think people are allowed to go in, cause I saw a lot of people are queuing at the ticket sale window....

NO, Just a great Duck.

Exactly Steven.

Yes, that is pretty fantastic too. You will get that chance.

Yes, they did it right.