What sport did Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman coach?

Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman coached track and field.

Bowerman was an American track and field coach whose work centered on running, training, and athlete development. After returning from military service and teaching at Medford High School, he joined the University of Oregon, where he became head track coach on July 1, 1948.

During 24 years leading Oregon’s program, Bowerman built the “Men of Oregon” into a nationally respected team. His athletes included Olympic competitors, NCAA champions, American record-holders, and the celebrated distance runner Steve Prefontaine. Oregon won four NCAA team championships under Bowerman, in 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1970. He officially retired as head coach in 1973.

Bowerman also influenced Nike’s products. He experimented with lighter, more practical running shoes and famously used a waffle iron to develop a traction pattern for a shoe sole. He co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports with Phil Knight in 1964; the company became Nike in 1972. The common mistake is confusing Bowerman’s sport with football: he played football in school, but his defining coaching career was in track and field.