Hayward Field

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Hayward Field
240px
2011 Prefontaine Classic
Location 1580 E. 15th Street
Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Owner University of Oregon
Operator University of Oregon
Capacity 10,500 (expandable 21,000)
Surface Natural grass infield
(1937–present)
Dirt / sawdust
(1919–1936)
Construction
Broke ground 1919,  105 years ago
Opened 1919 – (for football)
1921 – (for track)
Tenants
Oregon Ducks track and field
Oregon Ducks football (1919–1966)
2014 IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics
2021 IAAF World Championships in Athletics

Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 501: Unable to find the specified location map definition. Neither "Module:Location map/data/USA relief" nor "Template:Location map USA relief" exists. Hayward Field is one of the world's best-known historic track and field stadiums, located in the northwest United States in Eugene, Oregon.[1] Nearly a century in age, it has been the home of the University of Oregon's track and field teams since 1921, and was the on-campus home of the varsity football team from 1919 through 1966.

Hayward Field was named after track coach Bill Hayward (1868–1947),[2] who ran the Ducks' program from 1904 to 1947.[3] Renovated in 2004, it is one of only five International Association of Athletics Federations Class 1 certified tracks in the United States (along with Hutsell-Rosen Track, Icahn Stadium, John McDonnell Field and Rock Chalk Park). The elevation of Hayward Field is approximately 420 feet (130 m) above sea level and its infield has a conventional north-south orientation.

History

Hayward was built 105 years ago in 1919 to replace Kincaid Field, and was intended to primarily serve the school's football program.[4][5][6] During halftime of the season opener that year, the venue was named for track coach Hayward; he was busy working as the team's trainer during the break, and did not know of the honor until the following day.[3] In 1921, a six-lane cinder track was constructed around the football field.[5] A natural grass field was first installed at Hayward Field in 1937; the surface was previously a mixture of dirt and sawdust.[7][8][9] That field surface was not unique in the Northwest in the Pacific Coast Conference: Bell Field in Corvallis, Multnomah Stadium in Portland, and Husky Stadium in Seattle made similar transitions to natural grass in this period of time.[8]

In 1949, a 28-row grandstand in the south end zone was constructed; with temporary bleachers in adjacent corners, the venue's capacity was raised to 22,500 for football.[10] By the 1960s, the football team had outgrown the venue and, outside of the Civil War game with Oregon State, played its higher-attended games in Portland at Multnomah Stadium. The new Autzen Stadium opened in September 1967, and Hayward Field became a facility solely for track and field,[5] except for a few freshman team football games.[11]

The track was widened to eight lanes in late in the summer of 1969 and converted to an all-weather surface that autumn.[12][13] Its first synthetic track was Pro-Turf,[13] a urethane and sand composite which led to a hard and fast surface; it produced many world records and gained a reputation as the earth's fastest track.[14] Light in color, it was resurfaced with the same in 1976.[15]

Decayed and in disrepair,[16][17][18][19] the original west grandstand was built in 1925 and its roof added in 1938.[20] It was demolished in September 1973,[21][22] and the finish line (for most events) was moved to the track's northeast corner for the 1974 season.[23] The new west grandstand, also made of wood with a capacity of 4,300 spectators, was ready for use in March 1975.[24] The Prefontaine Classic originated as the "Hayward Field Restoration Meet" in 1973,[19][25] to help raise funds for a new west grandstand.[26][27][28]

The track was converted to metric in the summer of 1987, its lap length changed from 440 yards (402.336 m) to 400 meters, a reduction of 2.336 m (7.66 ft). The geometry of the track was changed to the international configuration, with shorter straights and longer turns. This widening of the infield required the relocation of the 300-foot (91 m), 500-ton east grandstand, which was raised and moved 35 ft 9.5 in (10.91 m) east in March.[29] The surface was again Pro-Turf, but with different surface properties; a textured top layer and a reddish color.[15] In addition, a 200 m warmup track was added to the southwest of the main track, along with a new hammer throw area and a weight room facility. A state-of-the-art scoreboard was added in 1991, which gave unofficial times and competitors' placings just seconds after race completion.[5]

Spectators watch the 110 m hurdles

After a donation in 1990 by Bill Bowerman (1911–1999),[30] UO's longtime track coach (1948–1973), the 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) 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.[5]

Bowerman began a public jogging program at Hayward Field in 1963 after a visit to New Zealand, inspired by coach Arthur Lydiard.[31]

A major renovation in 2004 added a new entrance named Powell Plaza. It also moved the practice track, expanded it to 400 meters, and replaced the aging fencing bordering the complex. After Eugene was awarded the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, Hayward Field underwent additional renovations in 2007. Eight light poles were installed for televised night events, and the crowned infield was removed and reconfigured. A walkway was added behind the west grandstand, and a new scoreboard was installed, thanks to a donation by alumnus Phil Knight and Nike.[5]

Hayward Field in 2007

Hayward Field has hosted USATF championships in 1986, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2009, and 2011, and the Olympic trials in 1972, 1976, 1980, 2008, and 2012. The Olympic trials are scheduled to return in 2016. Hayward has also hosted NCAA championships, USATF Elite Running Circuit events, and annually hosts the Nike Prefontaine Classic.[32]

In 2014, Hayward Field hosted the 15th IAAF Track and Field World Junior Championships

In 2021, the stadium will host the 18th IAAF Track and Field World Championships.[33]

In Film

Hayward Field appeared in a fictionalized staging of the Olympic trials for the 1982 film Personal Best, and in the 1998 biography of Steve Prefontaine, Without Limits. It is also in the background of the ROTC drill scene of the 1978 film Animal House.

Notable athletes

Oregon Ducks who competed at Hayward Field

The start of the 200 m
at the 2006 Prefontaine Classic

References

  1. ↑ "Traditions are time-tested at historic Hayward Field" Denver Post, 27 June 2008
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ McCann, Michael C. (1995). Oregon Ducks Football: 100 Years of Glory. Eugene, OR: McCann Communications Corp. ISBN 0-9648244-7-7.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Hayward_Field&oldid=457404"