And her spirit’s always loyal,
And we’ll have the world to know
That the bonds can ne’er be broken,
Formed in the dear old U.O.—“There’s a Pretty Little Village,” circa 1910
University of Oregon Libraries is pleased to announce an exhibit titled Oregon Spirit: The Legacy of Track and Field, now on display from January 7th to March 22nd in the Special Collections and University Archives Paulson Reading Room. The exhibit is curated by archivist Lauren Goss.
The University of Oregon proudly celebrates over 100 years of track and field. Led by illustrious coaches, student-athletes defied the limits of human performance before an audience of devoted fans. Drawing upon 20 collections, these curated items reveal a palpable spirit that transcends generations. The legacy of track and field is built on enduring tradition and dynamic innovation.
Ticket, May 21, 1921 (University Archives sports information and media guides, UA Ref 5, Box 28, Folder 15)
Containing over 40 items, this exhibit combines letters, scrapbooks, photographs, ephemera, and audiovisual material to examine the development of UO’s track and field program. The items highlight pivotal moments involving student-athletes, coaches, and facilities. Exhibit viewers can learn about the program’s origins, and recognize decades of ingenuity that cemented the connection between the sport and the university.
Women’s Athletic Association program, 1924 (University Publications, UA Ref 4, Box 61, Folder 3)
The exhibit features a clip reel containing footage from 1920s-1980s derived from several collection. It also includes a snippet of a 1947 audio interview with Bill Hayward recorded only a few weeks before he passed away. The video is available for viewing in the exhibit, as well as on the UO Libraries YouTube channel here.
Hayward Field, circa 1930 (University Archives photographs, UA Ref 3, Box 60, Folder 1)
Oregon Spirit was curated by Lauren Goss (Accessioning and Processing Archivist)
Clip reel created by Elizabeth Peterson (Humanities Librarian)
Advised by Jennifer O’Neal (University Historian and Archivist)
Exhibition production support by Mandi Garcia (Library Design and Exhibits Coordinator), Jim Murez (Communications Specialist), Jason Stone (Strategic Communications and Writing Specialist), Dj Wyrick (Information Technology Consultant), Nathan Georgitis (Archivist for Digital Collections), Marilyn Mohr (Collections Conservator), and Ashlee Weitlauf (Collections Conservator)
Saweet!!!!!! Fun to be one of the poster children commemorating such an glorious era of track and field at legendary Hayward Field. While it was super sad to watch the complex torn down, and earthly disturbance of the many memories made in and on those hallowed grounds, I do wish the U of Oregon the very best as it redefines itself and its athletes with a new venue. Hopefully this staging area will place community first and continue to provide the state of Oregon with many opportunities to give more of their home grown kids a chance perform under the big top at the State Championships. As a junior high kid who picked up the javelin a week before Districts at Springfield HS (after my softball coach got tired of coaching my arm to not send the ball over the catchers mitt from center field), qualified for State and set foot on Hayward field in 1976 – oh and what a buzz that year was – I have very fond memories of my relationship with Hayward Field that spanned 27 years, whether it was as a visiting Junior/high school athlete from ’76 to ’79, proud Duck Track and Field athlete from ’80 to ’85, or as Oregon’s devoted Throwing Events Coach from ’85 to ’03. Great memories I hold close to my heart and hope for this new era of athletes, outfitted with their new facilities, that they will make awesome stories of their own and continue to put Oregon on the map with their performances.