Bill Dellinger calls this field, that is located in Eugene at the University of Oregon, "the Carnegie Hall of Track and Field". Included in this tape "Legends of Hayward Field" is a wide variety of references to those who have competed at this location as well as the impact Hayward Field has had on running as a sport. The six head coaches are covered, as is the greatest athletes to compete here. Dyrol Burleson was the first athlete to run under 4-minutes in the mile at this field and Oregon miler Jim Bailey is shown being the first person to break the mark in the United States (when he raced John Landy in 1956 at the Los Angeles Coliseum). Field events, women athletes, track surfaces, and Olympic Trials are all remembered. This 1991 documentary, produced by Media Craft Associates, with a running time of 28 minutes, can still be obtained from ThinkVideo.com in either Ntsc, Pal, or Secam format. Near the end of the of this production each of the Hayward Field athletes are highlighted (with the use of still images) who have obtained an Olympic medal, American or World record. The list includes: Martin Hawkins (1912, Olympic bronze, high hurdles, 15.3); Ralph Hill (1932, silver medal, 5000 meters, 14:30.0, same time as winner Lauri Lehtinen of Finland in a controversial finish); Matthew "Mack" Robinson (1936, silver, 200 meters, 21.1); Otis Davis (1960, 2 times Olympic gold: 400 meter 44.9, 4x400 relay 3:02.2; initially a basketball player, he became the first person under 45 seconds in this event); Bill Dellinger (1964, bronze medal, 5000 meters, 13:49.8 in his third Olympiad); Joaquim Cruz (1984, 800 meters, gold, 1:43.00; 1988, silver, 1:43.90); Roscoe Cook (world records in 1959 and 1960 and an additional American record in 1961); Harry Jerome (this Canadian equaled the World record of 10.0 in the 100 meters; he tore a hamstring during a semifinal heat in the Rome Olympics and won a bronze in Tokyo in 1964 behind Bob Hayes); Dyrol Burleson (World record in 1961 and several American records from 1960 to 1962); Wade Bell (American record in 1967 and World record in 1968); Steve Prefontaine (13 American records set between 1971 to 1975; arguably the most famous University of Oregon track athlete); Rudy Chapa (American record 1979); Matt Centrowitz (American record 1982); Alberto Salazar (three American records 1982). Some quotes from just a few of the many coaches and athletes who are interviewed: "It's a community effort. It really affects the athletes that come into our great track meets. They say everybody understands what's happening here" (Bill Bowerman); "It was a dream of mine to come here some day. I'd heard about the great bond between the crowds and the runners. How the crowds would chant and stomp their feet in unison as the runner went round and round the track. I think what makes Hayward Field so special is that you get people out there in the stands who have grown up on track and field. They are very knowledgeable. They know what's going on and they have a love for the sport" (Alberto Salazar); "I had a couple of races in my career were the crowd got going and the competition was tight and everyone was screaming and it was as if your own will was suspended and the crowd's wishes just took over" (Kenny Moore); "From its humble origins in 1895, to its present status as the nations finest track in the running capital of the world, Hayward Field has been a clear sample of man's continual search for excellence, sportsmanship, endurance, and Olympic comradery. But its history has only just begun. Its horizons are expanding for the young runners who will one day become part of the legends of Hayward Field" (narrator).
