From the UO Special Archives

Monthly features are provided by Lauren Goss, Athletics Archivist at the University of Oregon's Special Collections and University Archives

University of Oregon Hosts 1962 NCAA Men’s Track and Field Championships 

In June 1962, the University of Oregon hosted the NCAA Men’s Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field for the first time. In the official meet program, University President Arthur Flemming shared a message of pride and purpose: 

“It is an event which typifies the best in intercollegiate athletics, and we at Oregon strongly believe intercollegiate athletics can play an important role in the university community.” 

The two-day meet, directed by Bob Newland, brought together top student-athletes from across the nation. Oregon’s team delivered several standout performances: 

• Mel Renfro set a personal best in the broad jump, finishing third, and also claimed second place in the 120-yard high hurdles.

• Les Tipton placed fifth in the javelin.

• Terry Llewellyn tied for second in the high jump.

• Dave Steen took fifth in the shot put.

• In the mile, Dyrol Burleson won his third national title with a time of 3:59.8—marking the first sub-four-minute mile in NCAA meet history. Keith Forman finished fourth at 4:04.5.

• Harry Jerome finished second in the 100-yard dash and won the 220-yard dash. 

• Jerry Tarr claimed victories in both the 120-yard high hurdles and the 440-yard intermediate hurdles, the latter setting both an NCAA meet and Hayward Field record with a time of 50.3.

• In the final event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Mike Lehner and Clayton Steinke placed third and fourth, respectively. 

Beyond individual success, Oregon dominated the team competition. With points awarded to the top six finishers (10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1), the Ducks amassed a commanding 85 points. A reporter from The Bend Bulletin declared Oregon as “obviously the best-rounded squad in the country.” The win marked Oregon’s second national championship in any sport—the first being the 1939 men’s basketball title. 

Following the victory, head coach Bill Bowerman reflected in an interview with The Oregonian:  

“I’m tremendously proud to be associated with a bunch like this one,” he said. When asked about the next season, he laughed and replied, “Let’s just enjoy this for a couple days before starting to worry about next time.” 

Ten days after the meet, Bowerman’s secretary, Phyllis Moore, typed up a note of congratulations. She called him “the Greatest Track Coach I know,” and added emphatically: 

“CONGRATULATIONS TO A GREAT TRACK TEAM AND THEIR COACH” 

A recording of the race is available through the University of Oregon’s archival media platform. 

First Sub-4 Mile on U.S. Soil

May 5, 1956, marks a significant date in the history of track and field at the University of Oregon. On that day, James “Jim” Bailey became the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile (3:58.6) on U.S. soil. The first of many sub-four-minute milers coached by Bill Bowerman, Bailey competed in a special mile exhibition race held during a USC-UCLA dual meet at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The race featured Ron Delany (Villanova), world mile record holder John Landy (Australia), and fellow Oregon runner Bill Dellinger.

An Australian national champion in the 880 yards, Bailey thrived under Bowerman’s coaching and captured the 1955 NCAA mile title with a time of 4:05.6. Yet few expected him to defeat his fellow Australian or to break the four-minute barrier. As reported:

“A crowd of 38,543 people started the roar of disbelief, the press box found it hard to comprehend what they were watching, but it kept right on happening – Bailey was catching Landy. On the final turn Bailey caught him, slapped him on the hip, said ‘Let’s go’ and then went on to finish a feat not a person would have given a lead nickel for less than five minutes before.”

Eugene Register-Guard, May 6, 1956, page 1B

The following day Bailey returned to triumphant celebrations held in Eugene:

“Darrel Brittsan, newly-elected student body president, presided as master of ceremonies. After a few introductory remarks, Brittsan asked Bailey how it felt to run a four-minute mile.

            ‘How do you explain a thing like that?’ Bailey answered.”

Oregon Daily Emerald, May 7, 1956, page 3

A recording of the race is available through the University of Oregon’s archival media platform.