Hayward Field Frequently Asked Questions

Why is hayward field important to the university of oregon?

Hayward Field at the University of Oregon is a world-class track and field facility. The reimagined stadium gives athletes—including the UO’s outstanding student athletes—an unparalleled stage on which to push the limits of what is possible.

where is hayward field located?

Hayward Field is on the University of Oregon campus at 15th Avenue and Agate Street, Eugene, Oregon 

Where does the name Hayward field come from?

The stadium is named for the father of Oregon track and field, Bill Hayward. He was known as the ‘Grand Old Man’ during his 44-year career as a Duck coach from 1904-1947. In addition to his track and field coaching duties, Hayward also served as athletic trainer and basketball coach. He coached four track world record holders, six American record holders, and nine Olympians, and assisted on U.S. Olympic teams from 1908-1932.

When did construction on Hayward Field begin?

Summer 2018

What is the capacity of Hayward Field?

There will be 12,650 permanent seats; expandable to nearly 25,000.

How is the renovation funded?

The Hayward Field renovation is fully funded by gifts from Penny and Phil Knight and more than 50 other donors.

Who are the architects involved in the renovation?

SRG Partnership along with several other important consultants including MKA Structural Engineers, BHE Group Civil Engineers, PAE Consulting Engineers, HLB Lighting, Place Landscape Architecture and Cameron/McCarthy Landscape Architecture.

Who is the general contractor for the renovation?

Hoffman Construction

Why couldn’t Historic Hayward Field have been remodeled?

Seeds for the Hayward project began with the need to renovate a storied-but-aging facility that was the venue for an ever-growing list of the sport’s most-prominent events—the US Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, World Junior Championships, NCAA Championships, and Nike Prefontaine Classic—but which lacked the infrastructure and amenities increasingly needed to host such events. Architects set out to create the ultimate fan and athlete experience: a theater for track and field.

The design team initially sought to preserve Hayward Field’s landmark east grandstand. Because of numerous factors—a failing structure, noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, tight seating, obstructed sightlines, and virtually no amenities—they asked, “What would Bowerman do?” While no one can know that for sure, it was a unanimous conclusion to look to the future and take a bold, innovative approach.

Elements of the grandstand have been incorporated into the new facility to preserve the rich heritage of the original stadium through stories in exhibits and graphics.

What happens to Powell Plaza?

Powell Plaza, originally made possible by generous gifts from Sharon and Lloyd Powell and Peter Powell ’78 and Molly Leahy Powell ’78 in 2005, remains on the corner of 15th Avenue and Agate Street.  Lloyd Powell was track teammate of former coach and athlete Bill Dellinger,

The Powell Plaza fan entrance to the stadium honors Hayward Field’s storied past, with an exhibition on the visionary coaching legends on the first level of a multi-story tower. From the moment fans, athletes, and researchers step inside Hayward Field, they enjoy the many amenities of a world-class track and field stadium.

What is the connection between Nike and Hayward?

In August 1955, Philip Hampson Knight walked onto the Hayward Field oval, a skinny freshman with, as he put it, “no self-confidence, no real-world experience, and few demonstrable skills, other than the ability to run pretty fast.” By the time he graduated with a business degree, Knight had recorded 13 top-three finishes as a miler, under the tutelage of legendary track coach Bill Bowerman. Their relationship evolved from coach and athlete into mentor and student, inventor and guinea pig, and, finally to that of business partners. Together, they cofounded Nike, the world’s leading designer, marketer, and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Bowerman once famously noted, “If you have a body, you’re an athlete.” Spawned from training sessions at Hayward Field, Knight and Bowerman helped elites and weekend warriors alike realize their athletic dreams. 

What are the benefits of Hayward Field for athletes?

  • A new nine-lane track
  • Modern men's and women's locker rooms
  • An equipment room, a video room, and a weight room
  • Indoor practice area includes six-lane, 140-meter straightaway, as well as areas for long jump, triple jump, throws (surrounded by netting), and pole vault
  • Facilities for training and sports medicine
  • A hydrotherapy room, treatment and rehab area, anti-gravity treadmill room and passive and active recovery spaces
  • Best track and field fans in the world

What are the benefits of Hayward Field for spectators?

  • A theater designed specifically for track and field
  • Unobstructed sight lines throughout
  • Great acoustics
  • Intimacy, a proximity of spectators to athletes
  • All seating will be in the form of spacious 22-inch seats with generous and comfortable 44-inch tread depth throughout the stadium.

The first row of seats will sit on track level, mere feet from the outside lane.

What are the design objectives?

  • Open and airy
  • View to the surrounding green landscape and hillside
  • Maximize natural daylight
  • Create a unifying iconic roof
  • Provide a continuous roof element for spatial enclosure, intimacy, and acoustics
  • Create a heroic wood roof structure
  • Showcase Oregon history and culture, highlighting forest products. As Bill Bowerman said before the 1974 Hayward Renovation, “Oregon is wood and wood is Oregon.”

What is the stadium structure?

The stadium is divided into the west stands and east stands with a gap between the two on the southeast corner. The stadium bowl is split into an upper bowl and a lower bowl. Suites, concessions, and restrooms are inserted in between the western and southwestern edges of the stadium. A unique feature is an upper walkway concourse, eight-feet wide, wrapping around the upper bowl of the west stands. The soffit of the upper bowl is clad in custom perforated metal panels.

How many rows of seats will there be?

The actual number of rows varies by section. In most sections, the lower bowl has nine rows from track level to the concourse. The upper bowl ranges from three rows to 18.

Where will accessible and companion seating be?

Accessible and companion seats are placed in several areas at the concourse level, typically adjacent to the aisle/stairs of each section in the lower bowl. Access to seating in the upper bowl is provided by wheelchair lifts.

Where will the entrances be?

A rebuilt Powell Plaza acts as the main entrance to the stadium at the northeast corner of the site, at the intersection of Agate Street and 15th Avenue. This open space is reinvented and will anchor this part of the project’s edge to the community.

Another open plaza will anchor the northwest corner of the project. This provides entry for Human Physiology and a second gateway to campus. Both plazas will flow seamlessly into a new 15th Avenue park development.

An east-west pedestrian corridor adjacent to the south end of the stadium connects Agate Street to practice fields and runs through to University Street. This connection will also incorporate a pedestrian ramp providing views into the stadium.

Where will media suites be?

Permanent press suites are on the concourse level along the southwest side of the stadium, above the finish line. Additional press areas will be in the upper rows above the main media area. For the largest events, there may be even more press areas at the far north end of the stadium built into temporary grandstands.

What is the connection to the UO’s Department of Human Physiology?

The University of Oregon’s Department of Human Physiology will move into the northwest corner of the stadium’s practice facility level, taking advantage of new offices, conference rooms, research, lab areas. The department has a separate entry at the northwest plaza of the stadium. A roll up door opens from the research lab to the 140-meter indoor track.

What is the significance of the new tower?

The multi-story landmark tower aligns with the east stands. The tower features a lobby filled with interpretive exhibits, an observation deck, viewing areas, elevator, and a staircase to the top. Its perforated metal skin and steel form flare upward and outward to resemble the Olympic torch.

Each floor of the tower will have a specific use, including:

  • Tower lobby and exhibits, connects to conference meeting room
  • Concourse level
  • Security
  • Satellite offices
  • Conference rooms
  • Observation Deck (Exterior)

will the past coaching and athlete accomplishments be honored?

The 4,000-square-foot Hayward Hall is situated under the east side of the stadium, with windows along Agate Street.

The interactive experience uses significant pieces of Historic Hayward Field and features:

  • A timeline with biographical information on all UO track coaches.
  • Exhibits on Bill Bowerman, highlighting his deep Oregon roots. Designers plan to display a re-creation of his workshop to illustrate his work as a tinkerer, innovator, and inventor.

Will visitors be able to access the Hayward Hall and observation tower year-round? Will there be staff? Will there be an admission fee? Will the public be able to access the track itself?

The tower and Hayward Hall will be open to the public, however, details such as hours and operations and public access to the track and Hayward Hall have yet to be determined

Will Hayward Field still host events other than UO Track and Field Meets?

Yes, Hayward Field will be home to many meets similar to the previous stadium, which depending on the year may include the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, NCAA Championships, Prefontaine Classic, USATF Outdoor Championships, OSAA High School Championships, OTC All-Comers and OTC Masters Hayward Classic.

How do I get tickets?

Oregon Track and Field season tickets for the 2021 outdoor season went on sale in June of 2019. Season tickets can still be purchased at goducks.com. All Track and Field season ticket holders receive priority ordering access to all other outside events at Hayward Field.