Hayward Field

Infobox Stadium | stadium_name=Hayward Field
location=1580 E. 15th Street
Eugene, Oregon 97403
broke_ground=
opened=1919 (for football)
1921 (for track)
owner=University of Oregon
operator=
construction_cost=
architect=
seating_capacity=10,500
tenants=University of Oregon Football (NCAA) (1919-1967)
University of Oregon Track (NCAA) (1921-present)

Hayward Field at University of Oregon is one of the most well-known historic track and field stadiums in the United States. [ [http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9712535 "Traditions are time-tested at historic Hayward Field"] Denver Post, 27 June 2008] It has been the home to the University of Oregon Track and Field teams since 1919. Hayward Field was named after the Oregon Ducks first coach, Bill Hayward, who ran the Ducks' program from 1904 to 1947.

History

Hayward was originally built for the school's football program. In 1921, a six-lane cinder track was added. In 1967, the football team, having outgrown the facility, moved to the newly-constructed Autzen Stadium, making Hayward Field a track and field-only facility. In 1970, the track was widened to eight lanes and converted to an all-weather surface.cite web|url=http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=39023&SPID=243&PALBID=9850&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=22187|title=Hayward Field|publisher=GoDucks.com|accessdate=2007-10-30] The track converted to the metric system in 1988, its length changing from 440 yards to 400 meters. In addition, a 200-meter warmup track was added to the south of the main track, along with a new hammer throw area and a weight room facility. One of the most modern scoreboards of the time was added in 1991, which gave unofficial times and places of competitors seconds after they finished. After a donation by Bill Bowerman, UO's longtime track coach, the 15,000 square foot Bowerman Building was added to the northwest of the track, housing locker rooms, U of O track memorabilia and the university's International Institute for Sport and Human Performance.

A major renovation began in 2004, adding a new entrance named Powell Plaza, moving the practice track and expanding it to 400 meters, and replacing the aging fencing bordering the complex, among other improvements. With news that Eugene would host the US Olympic Trials in 2008, Hayward Field underwent more renovation in 2007. Eight light poles were installed, allowing for televised night events. The crowned infield was removed and reconfigured, and a walkway behind the west grandstand was added. A new scoreboard was installed thanks to a generous donation by Phil Knight and Nike.

Hayward Field has hosted NCAA Championships, USATF Championships, USATF Elite Running Circuit events, and the stadium hosts the Nike Prefontaine Classic annually in June. It hosted the US Track and Field Olympic Trials in 1972, 1976, and 1980, making it the only site to host three consecutive trials. It again hosted the Trials in 2008 for the Bejing Olympics. On December 12, 2007, it was announced that Hayward Field would also host the 2012 Track and Field Olympic Trials for the London Olympics. It was also announced that Hayward Field would be the location of the 2009 and 2011 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. [cite web |url=http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUid=USATF_2005_10_14_22_17_56 |title=Eugene awarded 2008 Olympic Track & Field Trials |accessdate=2007-04-04 |format=HTML |publisher=USATF |date=2005-10-14]

Nike released the "Air Zoom Hayward" running shoe, in honor of Hayward Field.

Hayward Field played itself in a fictionalized staging of the Olympic trials for the 1982 film, "Personal Best" and in the 1998 biography of Steve Prefontaine, "Without Limits".

Another renovation began in June, 2007 in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Trials. Temporary seating raised the crowd capacity to more than 21,000 for the Trials.

Notable athletes who competed at Hayward Field for the University of Oregon

*Kelly Blair
*Dyrol Burleson
*Rudy Chapa
*Joaquim Cruz
*Otis Davis
*William Dellinger
*Harry Jerome
*Daniel Kelly
*Phil Knight
*Kenny Moore
*Steve Prefontaine
*Mel Renfro
*Matthew Robinson
*Alberto Salazar
*Jerry Tarr
*Leann Warren
*Mac Wilkins

References

External links

* [http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=39023&SPID=243&PALBID=9850&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=22187 Venue information and history]
* [http://www.oregontrackclub.org/hayward_field.html Hayward Field history]
* [http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/architecture/oregon/hayward.html Hayward Field, Architecture of the Univ. of Oregon]
* [http://goducks.com/fls/500/pages/2006-07/hayward/index.htm 2007-2008 Hayward Field renovations]
* [http://128.223.167.23/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi?1182789553814 Hayward Field webcam from Bowerman Building]