Back Where I Belong

It's been three LONG years since the 2018 NCAA Championships, the last track meet at historic Hayward Field. Because Eugene won the right to host the 2022 World Championships, the venue had to be rebuilt with more seating capacity and upgraded features. 

So...

Old

New

 

 

I arrive early enough to do my ritual; a slow savoring walk around the empty track. It's a habit of mine. 

One of the meet officials attended UO back in the day and knew head coach Bill Bowerman well. I asked, "how would BB have reacted to this stadium?" The official chuckled and said that BB was old school and not into flash or bells and whistles, but he certainly knew about innovation and would appreciate that component. 

Sidebar (for those who don't know): Bowerman is the one who ruined his wife's waffle iron by pouring rubberized cement into it. He hand-made shoes for his athletes and created the Waffle Sole for Nike. He also was the co-founder along with Phil Knight.

The old stadium had benches, no seatbacks, no railings. The new? Little comparison. 

My first look inside...

The water in the steeplechase pit is perfect for ducks......Oregon Ducks. 

Ok, so this picture was from my 30 year Annapolis reunion, but the shirt is from the Eugene Marathon that ends on Hayward field, so it's relevant (and my blog, my rules). 

My fancy weatherproof clipboard allows me to write up miscreants while standing in a downpour. 

I find a months-old Starburst in my jacket pocket. Gotta take one for the team. 

The 1500m start. 

Great shot from the 2016 Olympic Trials. I look so important, but in reality I'm thinking about dinner options. 

Interior benches made of reclaimed wood from the old East Grandstands. 

Cool mural with Oregon's first Olympic Gold Medalist, Otis Davis. He won the 400m final in Rome back in 1960.   

Did my first intervals on the new track, too. After the women's steeplechase, the brand new 30" barriers have to be switched to 36". The one barrier near me is stuck, and I can't get the stops loose. While one of the facility workers frantically takes over, I sprint down the backstretch and tell the starters to hold up the men's race. 

I still got it. 

The old stadium was renowned for sheer audio volume. During tense races, you could barely hear yourself shouting. I wondered if the same dynamic would be present in a much larger layout. 

Oh yes. Even though there was maybe a few hundred people in the stands due to distancing, there were times when the noise level was substantial. Extrapolate to 30,000 fans and it will be nothing short of nuclear! Well done, architects: the upper roof coverings are a perfect amplifier.  

Daughter of a college classmate is one of the first athletes to compete in the new stadium. 

Kid from BYU absolutely launches the javelin. Monster throw....turns out it's a personal best by over 8 meters! His coach is going absolutely bonkers in the stands; once the coach starts breathing again, I walk over and tell him I have to penalize his athlete for 'unauthorized use of a tailwind.' 

The new track has 9 lanes vs the old 8 lane track. And there's a nice grey walkway between the outside lane and the railings. So much room!

UO runner Cole Hocker sets the standard: not only does he drop a tidy 3:39 in the 1500m, he also sports the first man-bun in the new stadium. 

Here's a great video from UO. https://youtu.be/JDlYbkV_8aY  

On my way home, a final look back. 

When you're in a place you're supposed to be, you know it. I know my dad was glad to see me there. 

Onward.