Bradley Cook/The Chronicle
Over the coming weeks, crews will mount two-foot by eight-foot perforated steel panels on the outside of the tower. Together, the panels depict images of five icons who have helped define the UO’s legacy.
The first of the five is already on display, with the crown of the tower featuring the iconic image of legendary innovator and UO head coach Bill Bowerman and an unnamed athlete.
As crews install additional panels over coming weeks, images of four more UO greats – Steve Prefontaine, Raevyn Rogers, Ashton Eaton and Otis Davis – will join the likeness of Bowerman, bringing the total of UO legends featured on the tower to five.
”The tower is an incredible showcase of our program’s history,” head coach Robert Johnson said. ”It’s something fans, the community and our student-athletes can be proud of. It’s an honor to be part of the impact these individuals have made to our sport and Oregon track and field.”
Bowerman served as the UO head coach (1948-72), won four NCAA team titles and was co-founder of Nike.
Prefontaine was a seven-time NCAA champion and broke 14 American records during his career.
Rogers is a six-time NCAA champion and the 2017 winner of the Bowerman Award, the highest honor bestowed to collegiate track and field’s most outstanding athletes of the year.
Eaton is a five-time NCAA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the 2010 winner of the Bowerman Award.
Davis is a two-time 1960 Olympics gold medalist, winning the 400 meters and anchoring the 4×400-meter relay with world records in both events.
The new facility will feature additional tributes to many athletes and special moments, as well.
