The theatre for track...is real.
-- oregontf (@OregonTF) April 1, 2021
Take a look around👀
𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰: https://t.co/ukFw3JLlJC#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/SX6psOxmii
Before the meet, Oregon coach Robert Johnson calmly walked into the coaches' only section of the new Hayward Field, sat down and watched some of his team warm up, in the finest track stadium that this writer has ever seen.
Let me make this clear. I loved the old Hayward Field. I sat in the old east stands and watched Mike Roche lead Doug Brown, then Henry Marsh in the ill fated 1980 Olympic Trials steeplechase. I sat with the Aggie track club in those hallowed stands for several Olympic Trials and many Pre Meets.
This was my first reaction to the new #haywardfield! A true sanctuary to the sport! @OregonTF @nike @WCHoregon22 @2022Eugene @GoTrackTownUSA #runblogrun #theshoeaddicts #runningnetwork #larryeder pic.twitter.com/lFrmKz2wQz
-- RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) May 8, 2021
I roared in the press area, year after year, at Pre Classics when almost each event gave us a world leader.
That stadium is gone.
This modern stadium, at a cost of nearly $300 million dollars, much donated by Nike co founder Phil Knight and his wife, gives the University of Oregon one of the finest, if not the finest, athletic stadium in the world. It is a sanctuary of sport, a Notre Dame cathedral built in honor of Duck heroes. The three (at least) pictures of Rudy Chapa, the stunning modern street art of Steve Prefontaine creates icons of the athletes, much like stained glass celebrates saints in an old cathedral. And many Oregon track & field heroes are celebrated in what will become a legacy to American track & field.
I enjoyed my first meet in the new Hayward Field. I also missed some of the old stadium as well.
But, that is to be expected. A lifetime of memories were created for many in the old stadium. I hope fans will keep an open mind about the new Hayward Field.
It did not replace the old Hayward Field, nothing can do that. The new Hayward Field builds on the firm foundation of the old athletic field.
And now on to an epic Twilight meet!
