The University has honored one of its most successful alumni, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, with the first Bowerman Innovation Award, presented by the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business.
Knight was presented with the award, named after the late Bill Bowerman, Knight’s business partner and a legendary Oregon track coach, during the annual Visionaries Awards Luncheon at Portland’s Governor Hotel on Wednesday.
Knight, who ran track under Bowerman, graduated with a degree in business in 1959. He founded Blue Ribbon Sports with Bowerman in 1962, at first selling shoes out of his station wagon during track meets.
Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike in 1972 and has since become one of the world’s largest distributors of sportswear.
Although the University has honored business leaders with the award since 1984, this is the first time the coach’s name has been attached.
According to the news release, Bowerman is considered a visionary in the track world. He created the first textured shoe sole using his wife’s waffle iron, then added wedged heels and cushioned mid-soles. Many of his designs became standard for sportswear and shoes. Knight said he is honored to receive an award named after his former coach.
“Bill was a tireless innovator,” Knight said in the news release. “His dedication and passion has been a lifelong inspiration to me.”
-Kelly Brown