Bowerman, "Bill" (William J.)
Track and field
b. Feb. 19, 1911, Portland, OR
d. Dec. 25, 1999
Bowerman played basketball and football for four years at the University of Oregon but took part in track, as a 440-yard runner, only during his last two years at the school. After graduating in 1934, he coached high school sports in Portland and Medford, OR, where he had gone to high school.
In 1948, Bowerman returned to the University of Oregon to replace his former track coach, Bill Hayward, who had died. He soon became known for developing excellent distance runners, but he also produced outstanding overall teams. Under his guidance, Oregon won NCAA outdoor championships in 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1970. His 440-yard and 4-mile relays teams both set world records in 1962.
Bowerman coached ten runners who broke the 4-minute mark in the mile, including Dyrol Burleson, Bill Dellinger, Jim Grelle, and Steve Prefontaine. He retired in 1972 after coaching the U. S. Olympic team that won six gold medals.
His influence extended far beyond his coaching. Bowerman co-authored Jogging with heart specialist Waldo Harris in 1967. Translated into six languages, the book sold more than a million copies and helped to make jogging a popular recreation. The waffle-soled running shoe he designed led to the establishment of the Nike Shoe Company, for which Bowerman served as director of research and development.