Did Nike sponsor Steve Prefontaine?

Back in 1974, Nike was hunting for an athlete to wear their running shoes. They found Steve Prefontaine and signed with him for $5,000. Prefontaine had become a fantastic athlete under the watchful eye of Bill Bowerman, the sports coach at the University of Oregon – who also happened to be the co-founder for Nike!

What was Steve Prefontaine known as at Nike?

His association with Nike helped establish the Swoosh as a trusted running brand and transform the company from national shoe distributor to worldwide brand. Prefontaine won seven NCAA titles (three in cross-country, 1970-71, ’73; and four in the three-mile distance in track, 1970-73).

When did the Nike Prefontaine shoes come out?

Prefontaine’s competitive fire, gutsy race tactics and inherent charisma charmed crowds and inspired up-and-coming runners to stick with the sport and give it their all. In 1973, two years after the Nike brand was born and the first Swoosh adorned shoes, the nascent footwear company signed its first star runner.

What did Steve Prefontaine do for the Oregon Ducks?

Prefontaine set eight collegiate records while running for the Oregon Ducks and at one time held every American distance running record, from 2,000 meters to 10,000 meters. As his reputation as a competitive runner grew, Prefontaine took on the Amateur Athletic Union, battling the organization over its hold on the lives of athletes.

Where was Steve Prefontaine born and raised in Oregon?

Early life. Prefontaine was born on January 25, 1951, in the coastal logging town of Coos Bay, Oregon. His father, Raymond Prefontaine, was a carpenter and a welder after his time serving in the U.S. Army in World War II.

What was Steve Prefontaine’s first national record?

I like to make people stop and say, ‘I’ve never seen anyone run like that before,'” said Steve Prefontaine. At 15, competing for Marshfield High School in in Coos Bay, Ore., Pretontaine set his first national record, running the 2-mile event in 8:41:5.