Phillip Knight (2012) - Hall of Fame - University of Oregon Athletics

Phillip Knight

Induction:
2012
Class:
1959

His passion was ignited as a middle distance walk-on at Oregon under legendary coach Bill Bowerman from 1955-59. It was refined as a shoe designer and entrepreneur that led to the formation of Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964. But it exploded with Philip Knight’s love for his alma mater that will be remembered for generations to come. Few could have imagined that his collaboration with his former track coach would impact the globe with the creation of the world’s most innovative and iconic producers of athletic footwear - Nike. Nurturing a competitive spirit throughout his collegiate career that fostered a refusal to accept anything but the best, his countless contributions to the University of Oregon have been just as riveting. His vision and leadership have provided the Ducks world-class athletic and academic facilities that have set the standards for others to emulate. There has been the expansion of Autzen Stadium, renovations to the Moshofsky Center, upgraded football locker rooms and the Athletic Medicine Center in the Casanova Center, Hayward Field improvements, the John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student-Athletes, Matthew Knight Arena, and the Casanova Center expansion, which includes a new women’s soccer and lacrosse stadium. That’s not forgetting his endowment of eight academic faculty positions, the University’s Knight Library and the William W. Knight Law Center – all inspired by the foresight of one who has elevated the visibility and branding of Oregon athletics and the University community as a whole to meteoric heights. His introduction of new concepts, technology and marketing strategies into the world of athletics not only epitomizes his role as a visionary, it paved the way for the school that holds a piece of his heart to encounter unprecedented success on and off the field.