The University of Oregon men’s track and field team won its first NCAA Track and Field championship in front of a hometown crowd in 1962. It was the first time Hayward Field hosted the championships. Bill Bowerman put his team through a grueling eleven-meet schedule plus Relays. He referred to his team as "Tigers" because of their work ethic and attention to detail. The visionary coach was already dabbling in designing lighter shoes and uniforms for his athletes, long before the first days of Nike.
The Ducks had finished 4th at the 1960 championships and 2nd in 1961, Bowerman knew his team was close to a title.
The 1962 championships took place over two days in June as 13,000 fans packed Hayward Field. Jerry Tarr won the 120 hurdles and 440 hurdles, Harry Jerome won the 220 hurdles, Dyrol Burleson won the mile and six other Ducks finished fifth or higher in their events in the meet.
Mel Renfro, an all-purpose back for the football team, finished second in the 120 hurdles and third in the long jump, while Mike Lehner (steeplechase), Keith Forman (mile), Clayton Steinke (steeplechase), Dave Steen (shot put) and Les Tipton (javelin) all earned All-America recognition for their efforts. Jerome also placed second in the 100 meters.
During the year, Jerome set a world record in the 100 yards at 9.2 seconds, while the 440 yard relay team of Tarr, Mike Gaechter, Renfro and Jerome established a world record at 40.0.
Oregon more than doubled the score of second-place Villanova in one of the most dominant team competitions ever at nationals. It was the Duck's second-ever team national championship.
Burleson and Jerome (Canada) had both competed in the 1960 Olympic Summer Games. The title was the first of four under coach Bill Bowerman, who guided the program for 24 years beginning in 1948. The team is also a member of the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame.
1962 Oregon Track & Field Team: Coach Bill Bowerman, Ted Abram, Barry Adams, John Burns, Dyrol Burleson, Jerry Close, Keith Forman, Marty Frank, Mike Gaechter, Ron Gomez, Harry Jerome, Mike Lehner, Terry Llewellyn, Sig Ohlemann, Jim Puckett, Vic Reeve, Mel Renfro, Archie San Romoni, Dave Steen, Clayton Steinke, Jerry Stubblefield, Jerry Tarr, and Les Tipton.