If you read today's Register Guard, then you noticed the front page story regarding the latest controversy over the renovation of Hayward Field. Many of the old line of Oregon's "Track Town" are now in horror of the latest information to leak out regarding the historic East Grandstand. One of those Track Towners is non other than Jay Bowerman, Bill Bowerman's son.
I'm 100% behind Phil Knight on this one. This reminds me of the story of the Little Red Hen. When the idea of renovating Hayward in hopes of getting a track and field World Championship to come to the University of Oregon was first expressed by Vin Lannana, he said "and we all know who's gonna pay for this" That didn't sit well with me. Apparently, Phil wasn't so enamored with that kind presumptuousness either.
I have reason to suspect that this kind of "takers" mentality led to Phil sitting on the sideline during the onerous fundraising drive. I also suspect that it is a major reason why the plans to start the renovation were repeatedly stalled. Although some people dug deep to help fund the renovation, it was pathetically too few. As the deadline to get this renovation going began to close in, Phil came to the rescue. The best way to move at this point is not by committee or public hearings etc. That will only delay things and potentially alienate the very person who we need. To all of the people that want to get in the way of this dream come true for both the University and the greater sport of track and field, I ask where were you when the fund raising was going on? I realize that we have a very few boosters that could give the kind of money that Phil can give, but so many people donated absolutely nothing as they sat back and expected Phil to pay for the project.
My hunch is that Phil is about to help build something that will be a monument to the University of Oregon's reputation as the track capital of the US. It will serve to spread our university's fame internationally. The old East Grandstand is historic and nostalgic, but it is way out of date, and structurally challenged. Mr. Knight is doing so much to help our university. It is a shame that those who don't do very much are now criticizing him. I pray that their effort to interfere with what is about to happen at Hayward Field is soundly rejected by the vast majority among our flock.
Go ahead and tear down the East Grandstand. No one will miss it more than i will, but it is time to build a new home for the sport of track and field. This is our opportunity to have a facility that will not be rivaled in North America.
I'm 100% behind Phil Knight on this one. This reminds me of the story of the Little Red Hen. When the idea of renovating Hayward in hopes of getting a track and field World Championship to come to the University of Oregon was first expressed by Vin Lannana, he said "and we all know who's gonna pay for this" That didn't sit well with me. Apparently, Phil wasn't so enamored with that kind presumptuousness either.
I have reason to suspect that this kind of "takers" mentality led to Phil sitting on the sideline during the onerous fundraising drive. I also suspect that it is a major reason why the plans to start the renovation were repeatedly stalled. Although some people dug deep to help fund the renovation, it was pathetically too few. As the deadline to get this renovation going began to close in, Phil came to the rescue. The best way to move at this point is not by committee or public hearings etc. That will only delay things and potentially alienate the very person who we need. To all of the people that want to get in the way of this dream come true for both the University and the greater sport of track and field, I ask where were you when the fund raising was going on? I realize that we have a very few boosters that could give the kind of money that Phil can give, but so many people donated absolutely nothing as they sat back and expected Phil to pay for the project.
My hunch is that Phil is about to help build something that will be a monument to the University of Oregon's reputation as the track capital of the US. It will serve to spread our university's fame internationally. The old East Grandstand is historic and nostalgic, but it is way out of date, and structurally challenged. Mr. Knight is doing so much to help our university. It is a shame that those who don't do very much are now criticizing him. I pray that their effort to interfere with what is about to happen at Hayward Field is soundly rejected by the vast majority among our flock.
Go ahead and tear down the East Grandstand. No one will miss it more than i will, but it is time to build a new home for the sport of track and field. This is our opportunity to have a facility that will not be rivaled in North America.
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