UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, EUGENE, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 1953
VOL. LV
Pages
1-4
Section
Two
COLON EL BILLS MEMORY
Alums To Honor Hayward
O. Meredith Wilson Becomes
Ninth University President
O. MEREDITH WILSON
by Rodney Morrison
Emerald Reporter
It hasn't happened very often.
But for the ninth time in its his
tory, the University of Oregon has
a new president. O. Meredith Wil
son will take over the position left
vacant by Dr. Harry K. Newburn
early next year.
Looking at the qualifications of
Wilson gives reason to believe
that the University will make tre
mendous strides as it has done
during the presidency of Newburn.
Wilson, in accepting the posi
tion here, leaves a job as secre
tary of the Ford Foundation Fund
for the Advancement of Education
in New York. He was chosen un
animously by the State Board of
Higher Education Oct. 27.
Career Traced
Expected on campus by March,
Wilson has a reputation for get
ting people to work together and
for administrative ability. His
teaching and administrative ex
periences include work at Brigham
Young University of Utah and
University of Chicago. Since 1951,
he has been with the Ford Founda
tion.
Receiving word of his appoint
ment to the University, he expres
sed pleasure to again “share direc
tly in university experiences.’’
A member of the Morman
church Wilson is married and has
six children.
Achievements Listed
During the eight years that
Newburn held the position of pres
ident, the University experienced a
period of great growth and pro
gress.He stepped into the presi
dent's job July 1, 1945.
Under his direction, the value of
the physical plant increased by
approximately 15 million dollars.
Faculty salaries were raised to
the level of those offered by other
higher institutions. A record en
rollment was reached m the fall
of 1948 with 6148 students regis
tered.
The University library was ex
panded until now it is one of the
best equipped libraries in the
West, The academic program was
•eorganized with emphasis on a
general educational background in
iberal arts for all students.
Newburn was active in national
?ducational programs. This, as
well as being in demand as a
speaker, occasioned many trips. In
fact, he was awarded a United Air
Lines plaque several years ago for
having traveled 25,000 mjTes "By
air.
He frequently admitted regret
that his job did not permit him to
know the faculty and students
more intimately.
Stepping down from the Univer
sity presidency this summer, New
burn accepted a challenging job
with Ford Foundation as president
of the Educational Television and
Radio Center in Chicago.
He is presently still living in the
president's home here, recovering
from a summer auto accident be
fore heading east.
Former Coach
ft I
I •■V.'h;'
WILLIAM HAYWARD
Borcher Terms
Dedication Fitting
By Harriet Miller
Emerald Reporter
Colonel Bill Hayward’s memory is with us for the 1953
Homecoming celebration.
Homecoming could be dedicated to no finer person be
cause of his contributions to athletics, his sportsmanship and
his counseling of young men,” asserts Bill Bowerman, head
• rack coach, who ran under Hayward for four years
jom nas Decome a leg
endary figure at the University.
He spent 44 years here as track
coach, developed numerous out
standing athletes and brought
fame to Oregon and to himself as
a member of the coaching staff
of the American Olympic teams.
Retired in '47
Retiring after the 1947 season,
Hayward was made track coach
emeritus until his death in Decem
ber of that year.
Hayward came to Eugene in
1904, when 300 students were en
rolled at the University, and was
; assigned to coach all sports, teach
all gym classes for both men and
women and act as athletic direc
tor.
During his years of service here,
Oregon achieved fame for cham
pionship track teams and out
standing individual athletes, and
the coach earned the title “dean
of the American track coaches.”
Six times he was selected for
the Olympic coaching staff. These
were in London, 1908; Stockholm,
1912; Amsterdam, 1928; Antwerp,
1920; Paris, 1924, and Los Angeles
1932.
Coaches Stars
Many of the American Olympic
athletes were coached by Hayward
at the University. Among them
are: Dan Kelly, broad jump, 1908;
Martlh Hawkins, hurdler, 1912;
Bill Bartlett, discus, 1920; Wally
Tuck, javelin, 1920; Ralph Spea
row, pole vault, 1924; Ralph Hill,
distances, 1932; George Varhoff,
pole vault, 1936, and Les Steers,
who held the world's high jump
record of more than six feet 11
inches from 1941 until it was
broken last summer.
Hayward, who coached approxi
mately 1000 students at the Uni
versity, had an ingenious way as
a trainer. He developed winners
from material which would cause
some coaches to throw up their
hands in despair. His personality
and way with individuals gave his
athletes incentive to win.
He taught them not only how
to win, but how to be good losers,
the value of fair play and the
maximum use- of their skill and
stamina in competition.
Relieves Pain
Interested in relieving pain from
injuries, he was the first to make
many protective devices which are
on the market today. One of his
early achievements was the first
“rubber doughnut” which he rig
ged up for an injured knee of
Earl Latourette, football star, who
is now a state supreme court jus
tice.
He started the Hayward relays
for high school track men, which
is an annual event in the spring.
There are two stories for the
reason behind his “Colonel” title!
One is that a former army man
and West Point coach, Gapt. Jobs.
J. McEwan, who coached her*
from 1926 to 1929, gave Haywar«&
the nickname. Another is that it.
is an honorary southern title give*
to him during a coaching trip
the South. Whatever the reason*
the name stuck with him.
No one knew exactly how old
Hayward was until 1938 when ho
announced he had reached hia
70th birthday. To keep people
guessing he generally gave his ago
as more than 100 on fishing lic-»
enses.
His birthdate is believed to have
been July 2, 1868. Bom in Detroit
of French-Canadian parents, ho
was reared in Toronto, Canada.
His amazing all-around athletio
career in Canada included ice>
hockey, lacrosse, scujling and box
ing. The Caledonian games, a
track program sponsored by the
St. Andrews Scottish-America a
society, attracted him in early;
years.
Toured Circuit
Hayward toured the prize-fight
ing circuit with Gentelman Jinx
Corbett and was a sparring part
ner with Corbett before his match
with John L. Sullivan.
Beginning his coaching career
at the University of California be
fore the turn of the century, Hay
ward then went to Pacific univer
sity at Forest Grove and from
there to Albany college at Albany.
In 1947, the Homecoming gama
slogan was “Win or Bill.” Hayward
confined to his hospital bed, listen
ed to the game on the radio with
his usual eagerness to beat Ore
gon State. The team could hardly;
let him down and Oregon woo,
14-6.
Many times friends of Colonel
Bill's have gathered to honor him.
"Bill Hayward Day” was pro
claimed throughout the state in
November, 1947. Coaches, athlete*
and sports writers honored him at
a “Remember Bill Hayward Day”'
luncheon in Portland in June, 1951.
Tribute Paid
Thirty visiting coaches from tho
Big Ten and the Pacific Coast con
ferences were among the group
who paid tribute to their friend.
As far as those who knew Bill
personally are concerned, eveiy;
day is “Bill Hayward day.”
Track, fishing and photography
were Hayward’s hobbies. His home
on the McKenzie river was tho
ideal spot to enjoy fishing. He wa-»
considered the best fly caster in
the area.
Hayward died from a heart ail
ment at Sacred Heart hospital
Dec. 14, 1947. He passed quietly
away while a group of earolet*
(Please turn to page three)