(Sep. 8, 1918 – Oct. 22, 2017) For over twenty-five years, Rolla Vollstedt was a name to be reckoned with on the auto racing circuit. He was internationally recognized for his design and construction of racecars. His cars competed at the Indianapolis 500 for ten straight years, a feat unequaled at the time by any..Read More
Community members of Pendelton Oregon organized the first Pendelton Round-Up in September 1910. Operated by a non-profit organization, originally called the Northwest Frontier Exhibition Organization, the Pendelton Round-Up has always relied on the support of the townspeople and area ranchers. Some 500 volunteers assist in putting on the annual event. Ranked among the nation’s top..Read More
(Oct. 21, 1886 – Feb. 14, 1975) A Portland City commissioner for 14 years (1932-39; 1949-56), Ormond Bean was an expert in city planning and a leader in acquiring land for Portland’s city parks. He played a major roll in creating Normandale and Farragat Parks and in acquiring the land for developing West Delta Golf..Read More
(Jan. 25, 1933 – Apr. 20, 1995) For 20 years as sports director for KPTV Channel 12 in Portland, Jimmy Jones remained one of the most recognized figures in Oregon sports. The television voice of the Portland Trail Blazers for 13 years before taking a position with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1983, Jimmy covered virtually..Read More
(d. 1969) “Mr. Baseball” Rocky Benevento, the legendary Portland Beaver groundskeeper, was the frame that held Beaver Baseball together for almost four decades (1927-1966), His love of baseball fueled fans’ support for the game and admiration and respect for Rocky. Rocky never missed hospital visits (fans and players), boarded new players at his home, let..Read More
(Oct. 31, 1914 – Dec. 16, 2009) Joe Loprinzi left his mark on the state as a fitness and weightlifting coach and athletic guru enough so that the Multnomah Athletic Club named a wing after him. Born in Portland in 1914, Loprinzi grew up in an athletic family that included three brothers. As a 9-year-old,..Read More
From a waffle iron and the trunk of a car, Nike is one of Oregon’s – and America’s – most inspirational business success stories. The company began in 1964 when former University of Oregon runner Phil Knight and Oregon track and field coach Bill Bowerman put in $500 each to form Blue Ribbon Sports. Knight,..Read More
Founded in 1891, “The MAC” has become Oregon’s and one of the nation’s most storied athletic clubs, and has shaped the course of the state’s sports world for more than a century. The club was incorporated on February 28, 1891 through the efforts of 26 amateur sports athletes and enthusiasts, led by photographer Arthur B…Read More
(Jul. 27, 1887 – Sep. 4, 1974) Robert Hudson used his business skill and drive to support golf to the benefit of not only the state, but also the golf world during the era surrounding World War II. Born in 1887, Hudson began working in a grocery at age 14 and became the store’s sales..Read More
John Eggers (Jul. 18, 1922 – Jul. 31, 1992) served as sports information director at Oregon State University for more than 31 years, and helped create a pattern for how to represent and market college athletics through in-house news writing. His efforts helped significantly with Terry Baker receiving the Heisman Trophy in 1962. Eggers grew..Read More