Born in Portland, Oregon, Bowerman's father Jay was a former governor; his mother, Elizabeth Hoover Bowerman, had … See more

After the war, Bowerman returned to his position at Medford High School. The family then moved to Eugene where he became the head track coach at his alma mater, the University of Oregon, on July 1, 1948.
Bowerman'… See more

During a trip to New Zealand in 1962, Bowerman was introduced to the concept of running as a fitness routine, including people of an advanced age, through a running club organized by his friend and coaching c… See more

According to Otis Davis, a student athlete who Bowerman coached at the University of Oregon, who later went on to win two gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics, he was one of the guinea pigs for whom Bowerman … See more

Bowerman is a member of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, the USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, Oregon's Athletic Hall of Fame, the RRCA Distance Running H… See more

In declining health in late 1999, Bowerman died at age 88 at his home at an assisted care facility in Fossil, Oregon. See more