Showing off the UO for Eugene 08
EUGENE, Ore. - In a little more than two weeks, national attention will focus on Hayward Field for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
It's also a chance for the University of Oregon to showcase itself.
The Eugene campus is gearing up for a most unique opportunity. Upwards of 16,000 people daily will fill the stands at Hayward to see world class athletes.
Officials hope many will want to tour the school that's hosting the trials.
Sunday's Prefontaine Classic action is a preview of what we're going to see at the Olympic Trials.
At the same time, officials want the fans to see this -- the academic side of the UO.
"They can really get a flavor and sense of our campus, what we offer, the great diversity here," said Matt Dyste, director of the Brand Management Department at the UO.
So the marketing people have come up with a clever way to do that, the Gold Medal Game. People will use these game cards, visit UO museums and go on tours to collect points.
"There must be literally hundreds of people on campus that have been involved in the planning for this event.," Dyste said, "and it is a chance to really showcase this campus."
One big example is the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
"We're expecting that people will take this opportunity to come inside, get out of the hot weather or the cold weather--depending on what's happening," said Ann Craig, museum assistant director for education.
It's shoes, shoes and more shoes in this exhibit, sure to touch the "sole" of any track fan. There are red sneakers worn by Pre himself (at right), complete with track time numbers.
On another part of the exhibit you can walk through the 20th century, decade by decade, and check out the shoes and the culture of the times, in an exhibit called "Walk a Mile in these Shoes."
The museum and others on campus, will be open for expanded hours during the '08 trials. There'll even be a tour of trees, showcasing some of the 500 species that grow on campus.
