(Aug. 6, 1904 – Apr. 22, 1990) Leo Harris was the first athletic director at the University of Oregon and from 1947 to 1968 held that position. Harris was a financial wizard. Among his major accomplishments at Oregon were the construction of Autzen Stadium (completely paid for on opening day), improvements at Howe Field and Hayward Field, and the expansion of MacArthur Court. In addition, Harris hired such long term Oregon coaches as Bill Bowerman in track, Len Casanova in football, Don Kirsch in baseball, and Steve Belko in basketball.

Harris was also noted for striking a handshake deal with Walt Disney in 1947 that allowed Oregon to use the likeness of Donald Duck as the University’s athletic mascot, The Oregon Duck. When Disney lawyers in the 1970’s discovered that no written contract existed, the university produced a photograph of Harris alongside Walt Disney wearing a Donald-emblazoned Oregon jacket as proof that an agreement did exist. From that photo evidence, a formal contract licensing Donald’s use by the university was created.