| Utica,
NY (April 9, 2002) - The National Distance
Running Hall of Fame today announced
that it has opened the nomination process
for the Bill Bowerman Coaching Award.
The award is given annually to a US
distance running coach who, like Bowerman
himself, is more of a teacher than a
coach, constantly nurturing athletes
to find their best within their mind
and body.
Bowerman, the legendary University
of Oregon track coach from 1949-1972,
introduced the importance of jogging
and fitness to the U.S. He lead the
University of Oregon to four NCAA
team championships and coached 64
All-Americans, 24 individual NCAA
champions and 33 Olympians - including
American running legend Steve Prefontaine.
The National Distance Running Hall
of Fame established The Bill Bowerman
Coaching Award in 2001 to recognize
Bowerman's outstanding coaching ability,
his idealism, and his inspirational
guidance. Jeff Johnson, founder and
former coach of the Nike Farm Team
in northern California, won the award
last year.
The Award will be presented at the
5th Annual Induction Ceremony of the
National Distance Running Hall of
Fame on July 13, 2002 in Utica, NY.
Winners will be notified in advance
and receive a trip to Utica, along
with hotel accommodations for themselves
and a guest.
The National Distance Running Hall
of Fame, located in Utica, NY, was
established four years ago to commemorate
and honor the accomplishments of distance
runners, preserve and promote the
sport of distance running, and to
educate the many visitors on the rich
history of distance running in the
United States.
Nominations
can be downloaded and submitted online
at: www.bowermanawards.com.
The deadline for nominations is May
31, 2002.
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