emerald
sports
Pre: The legacy remains
Memories preserve
legend of Prefontaine
By Scott Coo
Olthe Emarald
May 30 will mark the seventh anniversary since Steve Prefon
taine made his tragic exit from American track and field.
Track fans nationwide will forever remember the shocking
spring night in 1975, when Prefontaine's MGB convertible crossed
the center line of Skyline Drive near Hendricks Park, slammed into a
wall of rock and killed the brilliant runner
Pre s death occurred just five hours after he had delighted a
Hayward Field crowd by running the second-fastest 5,000-meter
race in American history at the NCAA preparation meet
“His best years were ahead of him — he was only 24," says Bill
Dellinger, Pre s former coach and the current Duck mentor At the
time of his death. Pre held seven American records, including every
event from the 2,000 meters on up through the 10,000 He never lost
a race of longer than a mile in Eugene, and never lost a collegiate
race on a track
All of Pre s American records have since been broken, as have
his Hayward field records The legacy of Prefontaine, however, and
the effect he had on those closest to him, remains very much intact.
Former Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman considered himself
one of Pre's closest friends
"We all, of course, were devastated by his death," Bowerman
says, "but his greatness continues to shine, and the type of person
he was is an inspiration to us all. "
Bowerman says Pre was a “fine person who really loved life
and was totally dedicated to everyone around him.”
Bowerman was first made aware of Prefontaine’s potential by
Walt McClure, Pre s high school track coach at Marshfield High
School in Coos Bay
"Walt called me and said, ‘You'd better watch this little guy,’ ”
Bowerman says "He obviously knew what he was talking about."
Emerald photo
Baton his tragic death in 1975, Steve Pnfontaine was one of the
greatest runners ever to perform for the Ducks.
During Prefontaine's four years at Oregon he never missed a
race, a meet, a practice, or an opportunity to prove his superiority
over an opponent. According to Deltinger, Pre once ran a race with
a 103-degree temperature. As usual, Pre won the race, clocking a
13:24 for three miles.
‘‘Pre didn’t tell me he didn't feel well, because he thought I
wouldn't let him run if I knew,” Dellinger says.
Bowerman and Dellinger find little profit in making a compari
son between Prefontaine and today’s favorite son at Hayward Field,
Alberto Salazar.
Continued on Page 8
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