Track Town, USA (Eugene nickname)

The city of Eugene, Oregon, has been called “Track Town, USA” (or “Tracktown, USA”) since at least 1980. Hayward Field has been the home to the University of Oregon’s track and field team since 1921. Hayward Field is one of only four Class 1 internationally certified tracks in the United States and is the frequent host of the U.S. Olympic trials.
 
“Track Town USA” is a registered trademark of the University of Oregon.
 
   
Wikipedia: Eugene, Oregon
Eugene ( /juːˈdʒiːn/) is a major city of the Pacific Northwest located in the state of Oregon. It is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the county seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 50 miles (80 km) east of the Oregon Coast.
 
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Eugene has a population of 156,185, and Lane County (co-located with the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area) (MSA) has a population of 351,715. While Eugene has long been the second largest city in Oregon, it was briefly surpassed by Salem between 2005 and 2007. The Eugene-Springfield, Oregon MSA is the 144th largest metropolitan statistical area of the U.S, and the third largest in the state, behind the Portland Metropolitan Area and the Salem Metropolitan Area.
 
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon. The city is also noted for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities (especially bicycling, running/jogging, rafting, kayaking), focus on the arts, activist political leanings, and residents with “alternative” lifestyles. Eugene’s slogan is “A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors.” It is also referred to as the “Emerald City”, and as “Track Town, USA.” The Nike corporation had its beginnings in Eugene.
 
Wikipedia: Hayward Field
Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, is one of the best-known historic track and field stadiums in the United States. Nearly a century in age, it was the home of the University of Oregon’s football team from 1919 through 1966, and has been the home to the Ducks’ track and field teams since 1921. Hayward Field was named after track coach Bill Hayward, who ran the Ducks’ program from 1904 to 1947. Renovated in 2004, it is one of only four Class 1 internationally certified tracks in the United States (along with Hutsell-Rosen Track, Icahn Stadium, and John McDonnell Field).
 
29 June 1980, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “Athletes still trying hard—for the fans” by Temple Pouncy, pg. 4B, col. 4:
But a curious thing happened once the 1,500 contestants got to Tracktown, USA, as Eugene rightly calls itself. They steped into this 17,000-seat stadium, which is used for nothing but track and field, and soaked up energy from the crowd. And they performed almost as if this were the real thing.
 
Google Books
The Masters of the Marathon
By Richard Benyo
New York, NY: Atheneum
1983
Pg. 228:
It was Richard who relayed to Alberto tales of the fabled land of Track Town, USA — Eugene, Oregon. Alberto sat on the edge of his chair as Richard told him stories of the University of Oregon runners, of Hayward Field, of coaches Bill Bowerman and Bill Dellinger, and of the performances of superstar Steve Prefontaine.
   
Google Books
The Pacific Northwest
Edited by Hans Hoefer, et al.
Singapore: APA Publications; Boston, MA: Distributed by Houghton Mifflin Co.
1993
Pg. 191:
In addition to the college employing the largest work force in the city, the U of O’s Hayward Field is the birthplace of Eugene’s reputation as “Tracktown USA.” This is where Bill Bowerman popularized the jogging regimen which swept the country in the ‘70s as well as being a frequent site of the Olympic Trials.
   
OCLC WorldCat record
A runner’s map for Eugene-Springfield Oregon
Author: Jim Reed; SBG Maps.; Eugene (Or.)
Publisher: [Porland, Ore.] : SBG Maps, 2000.
Edition/Format:  Map : English
Other Titles: Track town USA
 
OCLC WorldCat record
Track town, USA : Hayward Field, America’s crown jewel of track and field
Author: Kenny Moore; Brian Lanker; Rich Clarkson
Publisher: Denver, CO : Rich Clarkson, ©2010.
Edition/Format:  Book : English
 
The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)
Nike remodel crosses finish line
The makeover at the Eugene store includes a focus on running and on the company’s local history
By Ilene Aleshire
The Register-Guard
Appeared in print: Thursday, April 5, 2012, page B5
When Nike reopens its newly remodeled Eugene store today, it will be as one of the company’s line of specialized stores, which focus on a particular sport — in this case, running.
 
“Eugene is Tracktown USA,” Nike vice president Tim Hershey said.
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark TRACK TOWN USA
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Arranging and conducting athletic events, tournaments, and sports exhibitions. FIRST USE: 20090625. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090625
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Trademark Search Facility Classification Code LETTER-3-OR-MORE USA Combination of three or more letters as part of the mark
SHAPES-MISC Miscellaneous shaped designs
Serial Number 77467073
Filing Date May 6, 2008
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition December 23, 2008
Registration Number 3787928
Registration Date May 11, 2010
Owner (REGISTRANT) State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Oregon STATE AGENCY OREGON 5286 University of Oregon Eugene OREGON 974035286
Attorney of Record Richard J. Polley
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “TRACK” AND “USA” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE