Steve Prefontaine

Steve Roland Prefontaine (January 25, 1951 - May 30, 1975) was an American Olympic runner born in Coos Bay, Oregon. He competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Prefontaine was primarily a long distance runner, and at one point held the American record in every running event from the 2000 meters to 10,000 meters. Prefontaine was killed on May 30, 1975 at the age of 24 in a car accident.

University of Oregon (1970-1973)

Following high school, Prefontaine enrolled at the University of Oregon in order to continue his running under coach Bill Bowerman, who would later co-found the Nike shoe company. Following his freshman year, he went undefeated, winning three Division I NCAA Cross Country championships and four straight three-mile titles in Track and Field. He also set the American record in the 5000 meter race, the event that took him to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich. Prefontaine narrowly missed a medal there, falling behind in the last 100 meters and landing a 4th place finish. Returning for his senior year at the University of Oregon, Prefontaine ended his collegiate career undefeated by American runners. It was during his collegiate career that he began to fight the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) which demanded that athletes who wished to remain "amateur" for the Olympics not be paid for appearances in track meets, even though they drew large crowds that generated millions of dollars. Bowerman, who also fought the AAU's restrictions, began calling Prefontaine "Rube" because of his naivety and stubborness.

Related Topics:
University of Oregon - Bill Bowerman - The Nike shoe company - 5000 meter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~