Bowerman, William J.

William J. Bowerman (1911-1999) was an American track and field coach, businessman and inventor. As coach of the University of Oregon track team from 1948 to 1972, he trained many Olympians, All-Americans, American record-holders, and NCAA champions, and his teams won four NCAA titles. Bowerman was responsible for innovations in athlete training programs, track equipment and surfaces, and athletic footware. In 1964, he and former track team member Phil Knight co-founded the athletic footware distribution company Blue Ribbon Sports, which later became Nike.

From the description of Bill Bowerman papers, 1932-1999. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 82930816