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Steve Prefontaine's professional running career began at his home in Coos Bay, Oregon. It is not a documented historical site, however it does have historical value with all athletes who know Prefontaine and what he did. With a plaque to remember who he was at his home, he will be forever in the hearts of his family, friends, and anyone who knows him. In his home, he had many fond memories with his friends, mom, and dad, as well as his two sisters. One particular memory recalled by his father is: "To get Faster, you have to run faster" ~ Ray Prefontaine. His words chimed vividly through our ears. "You will BE great," He was Ray Prefontaine, the father of the greatest distance running sensation in American history. Standing in the living room Ray exclaims, "Boys, I have something to show you. Wait right here, this just came in the mail." To our surprise Ray pulled out a package, he searched for scissors to open the small box, held within was the 1972 Olympic Uniform for Steve Prefontaine. He explained the uniform was to be placed into a museum but he felt it appropriate to share with my brother and I. He pulled the uniform out and with a tear in his eye asked, "Would you like a picture?... I hope my wife gets home soon, she is at the store."
Marshfield High School is located in Coos Bay, Oregon. Coos Bay is the home of world-famous runner Steve (Pre) Prefontaine. Coos Bay is on the southern Oregon Coast and Marshfield High School is in the Coos Bay School District. With Principal Travis Howard in command, Marshfield hosts just over 1,000 students each year and has 25 after-school sports and activities. The school's mascot is a Pirate and their colors are purple and gold. With Marshfield Highschool being the home of Steve Prefontaine, his accomplishments will never be forgotten as long as his memorials stay alive at the high school.
This now world-famous track and field venue opened in 1919 and is named in honor of Bill Hayward, Oregon's track and field coach from 1904-1947. Hayward Field has hosted numerous championships. and remains the home of the Oregon track team. It is also a site of remembrance in the life of Steve Prefontaine who set numerous records in the 1970s and inspired nationwide interest in distance running prior to his death at age 24.
"Pre's" Rock is the site of a roadside memorial of Steve Prefontaine. Steve Prefontaine, he was known as "Pre" to many, was an American long-distance runner and most say was responsible for the "running boom" of the 1970s. He was tragically killed on May 30th, 1975 in an automobile accident. The site is visited by many people from all across the world. Running enthusiasts and competitors often leave their running shoes or racing memorabilia at the site to honor him. As with most tragic deaths, controversy soon followed as to what exactly happened just after midnight at what is now known as "Pre's" Rock. Along with where and how he died, he will be remembered for what type of person he was. Steve Prefontaine was a strong-willed, stubborn, competitive person with the heart the size of an elephant. He will be remembered for not only his records but also how caring he was as well.
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1978. After the Hall gained momentum, a paid staff was put into place in 1985. By 1990, the Hall of Fame was generating revenues of more than $100,000, with annual attendance of 5,000 visitors. Today, the Hall is big enough to honor a wide array of sports. Name the sport, and it's likely represented. From auto racing to table tennis and everything in between, it's difficult to find a more immense Hall of Fame. Steve Prefontaine was the greatest distance runner in the history of Oregon track and field. A native of Coos Bay, “Pre” was the first collegian to capture four consecutive 3-mile/5000 meter gold medals at the NCAA championships (1970-73). He also earned three NCAA cross-country titles (1970,71,73). Prefontaine owned every record from 2 miles to 6 miles (and metric equivalents) at the time of his death in a 1975 auto accident. He set a national high school record in the two mile (8:41.5) in 1968, and earned a spot on the UO’s exclusive sub-4 club with a 3:57.4 mile, the second fastest in high school history. He placed 4th in the 5000 meters at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Quotes: “My real goals are just to run as fast as I am physically able. I don’t really know my limits. So far, nothing has been too hard. I’m still improving and until that stops I can’t predict anything”. “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” “Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.” While there or no pictures of his actual spot in the Museum, Prefontaine was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This is the journey the Steve Prefontaine took throughout this life from his childhood home, to his high school, to where he ran at college, to his memorial and lastly where he is remembered in a museum.
