The Story of Hayward | University of Oregon Search University of Oregon Sites Explore All Majors and Degrees Request Info Apply Today Visit Us Get Tickets View All Sports View the Latest Research News Find an Expert by Research Area View Course Catalog Register for Classes Key Dates and Actions Apply Now Early: Nov. 1 Regular: Jan. 15 Financial Aid (FAFSA) Priority: March 1 Confirm: May 1 Soaring from the Sidelines Thanks to human physiology internships, these ducks are getting hands-on lessons in medicine and helping UO athletes soar. Read the Story UO Scientist Joins Nobel Winner to Explore Molecular Sponges Researchers team up to study particles that can harvest water from air. Learn About the Partnership As a top-tier public research university, the UO teaches students to think critically and act creatively with programs that shape the future. Explore 300+ programs at the UO, where big ideas thrive. Find resources to support your academic journey so you can push boundaries, fuel passions, and prepare for an impactful career. Ready to become a Duck? Explore campus, housing, and our tuition guarantee. Learn how to apply to join the flock. The UO’s sports legacy runs deep—from iconic Hayward Field to Nike’s global reach—fueling pride, progress, and our winning spirit. From ocean depths to human performance, UO students and faculty team up to tackle big challenges and create real-world change. Your go-to hub for navigating the UO—register for classes, manage finances, and get support for academics, tech, and more. The Story of Hayward The Story of Hayward Field BUILT FOR CHAMPIONS, SHAPED BY HISTORY Hayward Field has been the home of legends since its inception. By the time the first grandstand was built in 1925, the University of Oregon had already produced two All-Americans and won a Pacific Coast Conference title. Today, it’s one of three World Athletics Class 1 Facilities in the US and the only US venue to host four consecutive Olympic Trials, among numerous other historic achievements. From Cow Pasture to Cathedral of Sport Constructed in 1919 as a football stadium, Hayward Field was once the site of a UO cow pasture bisected by a creek. It was named in honor of Oregon's legendary track and field coach Bill Hayward during halftime of its inaugural game. By 1921, a six‑lane cinder track circled the field. A Defining Championship Hayward Field hosted the NCAA Championship for the first time in 1962 —and saw the Men of Oregon and their coach, the legendary Bill Bowerman, take home their first title. Two years later, the team (and Bowerman) repeated the feat at Hayward Field with their second NCAA Championship. Track Takes Center Stage In 1967 , UO football was relocated to Autzen Stadium, and the Hayward track was widened and upgraded to an eight-lane, all-weather surface. It was exclusively devoted to track and field by 1970 and hosted its first US Olympic Trials in 1972, where Steve Prefontaine advanced to the Olympic Games in Munich. On the Fast Track to Fame From 1972 to 1984 , Hayward Field cemented its legacy as a world-class track and field facility, hosting three more NCAA Championships, three US Olympic Trials, and both Pac-8 and Pac-10 Conference Championships. It also appeared in two Hollywood films: Animal House and Personal Best. By 1988, it was converted to a 400 meter oval, with geometry that matches the international configuration. Building Toward the Future In 1992 , the $2 million Bowerman Family Building was constructed at the northwest corner of Hayward Field, housing athletic treatment facilities, locker rooms, and meeting rooms, as well as the Bowerman Sports Science Center, a launching pad for UO’s strides in athletic performance research. Pushing Boundaries and Setting New Marks In the 1990s and early 2000s , Hayward Field hosted Pac-10 Conference Championships, NCAA Championships, and its first two USA Championships, seeing athletes break championship records and set new American records across a variety of events. Keeping the Pace of Excellence The early 2000s were an era of upgrades at Hayward Field, with the addition of Powell Plaza, a newly renovated indoor practice facility,  new permanent lighting, and a new scoreboard designed by noted Nike designer and UO graduate Tinker Hatfield. A Decade of Dominance Throughout the 2010s , Hayward Field continued to serve as the premier stage for elite track and field performance. Oregon's Ashton Eaton broke the collegiate decathlon record, then set a new world record at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. Raevyn Rogers clinched three back-to-back NCAA Championship titles in the 800 meters. Distance runner Edward Cheserek ran career-defining races as the winningest male athlete in the history of NCAA Division I athletics. Year after year, Oregon athletes clinched championships, swept events, and set new standards for achievement and athleticism. A New Hayward for the Next Century From 2018 to 2020 , the stadium was completely rebuilt, with philanthropic support led by Phil Knight. The new stadium features a 12,650-seat permanent bowl, underground training facilities, locker rooms, nutrition stations, and more, crowned by a soaring Hayward Field Tower honoring five Oregon track and field legends. 100 Years of Magic on the Hayward Field Track The former cow pasture has seen more than a few G.O.A.T.s in its time, and it’s just warming up. Learn About Hayward Field's 100-Year Legacy » How Eugene Became the Running Capital of the World The Heart of Tracktown documentary explores how a community built a legacy of shoes, trails, world records, and a healthy obsession with running. Interested in Learning More? Meet Oregon’s most iconic coaches, take a journey through our championship history, and learn how we’re preserving the past to inspire the future of Oregon athletics. Explore Hayward Hall About the Tower Events Schedule Get Tickets