PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Eugene is already known as “TrackTown USA,” but now the University of Oregon — with the help of Phil and Penny Knight, as well as 50 other donors — has its sights set on the world stage.
On Tuesday, the school unveiled renderings and a full plan for a Hayward Field redesign that will make the track and field stadium, “nothing less than the finest track and field facility in the world,” UO President Michael Schill said in a press release.
The stadium is privately funded by the Knights and 50 donors, the school said. The UO said the Knight’s contribution is a part of a $2 billion comprehensive campaign.
“As I’ve said many times, my business life was born on Hayward Field,” Phil Knight said, “so this is a deeply personal project for me. My goal is to see an enduring monument to the ideals of perseverance, innovation and achievement that my coach, mentor and business partner Bill Bowerman instilled in all his athletes. We will honor Bill Hayward’s and Bill Bowerman’s legendary achievements by creating a magical venue that will remain the heart of the University of Oregon for generations to come.”
The stadium will raise the standard capacity from 10,500 to 12,900, with the ability to expand up to 30,000 — a feature that’ll be put to use when Eugene hosts the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in 2021.
The stadium, with its iconic Bowerman curve, has already been known for its cinematic moments and great acoustics. Now, the school is hoping to heighten that effect even more. The release said one of its objectives was to create a “theater” for track and field.
Hayward Field will also have a section for the school’s human physiology department, a new indoor practice area, a hydrotherapy and rehabilitation room, and a nine-story Bowerman Tower, overlooking the field.
Schill said the project couldn’t have been possible without the Knight family.
“Phil Knight has long believed the UO can rise to be one of the top universities in the nation, that Oregonians deserve and need the opportunity and benefits that come from a world-class research institution,” Schill said. “The best way to thank Phil and Penny is to make that dream a reality. Today is about so much more than announcing designs for a new track and field venue. We are celebrating the latest milestone in the UO’s rapid ascent toward achieving our shared aspirations and ambitions, and we celebrate a project that is particularly meaningful to the Knights, to the university, and to the legions of worldwide fans, volunteers, and athletes who declare their home to be Track Town, USA.”
For the full release, you can click here.