The University of Oregon released a 19-page press kit crammed full of details about Hayward Field. These are our favorites:
THE ADDRESS
- It’s 1530 Agate Street because when Phil Knight, Nike’s founder and the primary donor for the $200 million stadium, competed for the Oregon track team, he ran a personal best in the 800 meters of 1:53.00.
THE TOWER
- It’s 10 stories high and the second-highest building in Eugene at 188 feet, 8 inches. (The tallest building is Ya Po Ah Terrace, an apartment building at the foot of Skinner Butte, at 212 feet.)
- It honors five iconic Oregon track and field figures: Bill Bowerman, Ashton Eaton, Otis Davis, Raevyn Rogers and, of course, Steve Prefontaine. There are 250 other athletes honored elsewhere in the facility.
THE CONCESSION STANDS
- Barbara’s Waffles, named after Barbara Bowerman, whose waffle iron became famous after her husband, UO track coach Bill Bowerman, used it to experiment with soles for a running shoe that became the Nike prototype.
- Ashton’s Eatins, named after Ashton Eaton, a five-time NCAA champion for the Ducks and a two-time Olympic champion in the decathlon.
- English Garden, named after sprinter English Gardner, who won five NCAA titles for the Ducks and an Olympic gold medal in the 4×100 relay.
THE VAULT
- This indoor training space under the stands has a large skylight so that the athletes can stay connected with the action upstairs.
- It’s also got amenities ranging from Razor Bill’s Barbershop and Salon to sleep pods and hydrotherapy.
THE FLAGS
- There are 156, one for the each country that competed at the original Hayward Field.
