Minnesotans, Bowerman and the Men of Oregon

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon was easily the best new running book of 2006. Kenny Moore – 1968 Olympian and former Sports Illustrated writer – tells the life story of Bill Bowerman in a way that does justice to the amazing legacy of the legendary Oregon coach and co-founder of Nike.

Minnesota athletes are featured prominently throughout the biography. Former St. Louis Park High School star Bruce Mortenson plays a role in a number of the facinating anecdotes that illustrate Bowerman's years at Oregon. A college roommate of the author, Mortenson went on to a stellar post-collegiate career after winning the 1965 NCAA steeplechase championship under Bowerman. Read more about Mortenson in this interview with TSL News Services.

The legendary Ron Daws makes an appearance in the book when he finishes 3rd at the 1968 Olympic Marathon Trials behind George Young and Moore. Moore describes Daws as "a distinguished Minnesota eccentric." Later, Moore mentions that he and Daws helped stack the sacks of hate mail that arrived after the victory stand protest by Tommy Smith and John Carlos.

University of Minnesota star Garry Bjorklund is described as a tough competitor against Oregon's Steve Prefontaine in the 1970 NCAA 5,000 meter championship and against Moore in the 1970 AAU 10,000 meter championship. Bjorklund finished third at the AAU meet, qualifying for the U.S. squad that raced in Europe that summer.

Not surprisingly, Mortenson, Daws and Bjorklund have all been inducted into the Minnesota Track & Field Hall of Fame. If your name appears in Bowerman and the Men of Oregon, you probably had a pretty solid career.