Coos Bay, Oregon

Coos Bay, Oregon, the birthplace of Steve Prefontaine, is a small, working-class coastal town. Author Jordan and others believe Pre may have inherited the town's work ethic and no-nonsense approach and used it to become a world-class runner.

The Amateur Athletic Union

The Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU, was the organizational body that controlled most American amateur athletics in the late 60s and early 70s. Pre was forever in conflict with the body for not allowing amateur athletes any amount of financial compensation for their efforts, leading to hardship, hypocrisy and "under the table" payments to athletes. In 1978 the stranglehold the AAU had on amateur athletics would come to an end via congressional legislation.

University of Oregon

Pre attended the University of Oregon in Eugene after its legendary track coach Bill Bowerman vowed to make him a world-class athlete. He led the track team to...