Bowerman and the Men of Oregon audiobook cover - The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Cofounder

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon

The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Cofounder

Kenny Moore

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Management & LeadershipEntrepreneurship

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Bowerman and the Men of Oregon
Early Life & Philosophy+
Development as a Coach+
WWII Service+
Molding the Oregon Dynasty+
The 1972 Munich Olympics+
The Rise of Nike+
The Jogging Revolution+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
Why did Bill Bowerman frequently tell his incoming freshmen the parable of the 'mule skinner'?
  • A. To explain his lifelong passion for animal husbandry and farming.
  • B. To emphasize that getting someone's attention is the crucial first step to instilling discipline and good behavior.
  • C. To share a heroic war story about his time managing mules in the Tenth Mountain Division.
  • D. To warn the athletes about the physical dangers and injuries associated with track and field.
Question 2 of 7
What was a core element of Bowerman's track and field training philosophy?
  • A. Pushing athletes to their absolute physical limits every single day without rest.
  • B. Forcing all runners to adopt the exact same stride and pacing techniques regardless of body type.
  • C. Customizing workouts to find the optimum balance of alternating work and rest for each individual.
  • D. Banning athletes from working outside jobs so they could focus entirely on their sport.
Question 3 of 7
How did Bowerman handle the surrender of 4,000 German soldiers in Italy during World War II?
  • A. He ordered an immediate artillery strike on their barracks to force a rapid surrender.
  • B. He confidently negotiated a deadline for their surrender with a Nazi general to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
  • C. He waited for senior military reinforcements because he refused to speak directly with Nazi officers.
  • D. He traded American supplies and mules to the Germans in exchange for their peaceful surrender.
Question 4 of 7
How did Bowerman react to the tensions and potential boycotts among his athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics?
  • A. He threatened to revoke the scholarships of any athlete who refused to compete.
  • B. He strictly enforced IOC mandates and ignored the athletes' political and emotional concerns.
  • C. He resigned as head coach in protest of the IOC's security failures and the inclusion of Rhodesia.
  • D. He listened to their arguments, validated their feelings, and consoled them, despite his contempt for the IOC.
Question 5 of 7
What primarily drove Bill Bowerman to start creating his own running shoes, eventually leading to the founding of Nike?
  • A. A desire to become a billionaire and leave the coaching profession behind.
  • B. His belief that existing shoes were an impediment, leading him to obsessively seek any small advantage for his athletes.
  • C. A lucrative endorsement deal offered by the Japanese shoemaker Onitsuka.
  • D. A government grant given to the University of Oregon to develop modern athletic gear.
Question 6 of 7
What was the primary philosophy behind the jogging movement Bowerman introduced to America after his trip to New Zealand?
  • A. It should be an inclusive, non-competitive activity focused on health and fun for ordinary people.
  • B. It should be a highly competitive sport used to scout future Olympians for the University of Oregon.
  • C. It was strictly for young, elite male athletes to maintain their off-season fitness.
  • D. It required expensive, specialized gear and rigorous daily time trials to be effective.
Question 7 of 7
What eccentric method did Bowerman use to signify that an athlete had proven their character and officially become one of the 'Men of Oregon'?
  • A. He awarded them a custom-made pair of early Nike waffle shoes.
  • B. He made them sleep outside for a night, just as he had done in his rebellious youth.
  • C. He pressed a scalding hot key against their thigh in the bathroom as a form of branding.
  • D. He gave them a golden mule shoe to hang in their locker for the rest of the season.

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon — Full Chapter Overview

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon Summary & Overview

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon (2006) is a riveting tale about track and field coach Bill Bowerman’s relentless drive to produce the best athletes from his base in his native Oregon. Through innovation and sheer force of character, he inspired a community to fall in love with running, and in the process co-founded Nike.

Who Should Listen to Bowerman and the Men of Oregon?

  • Track and field fans
  • Followers of the American Olympic movement
  • Nike aficionados and people curious about the history of apparel brands in sport

About the Author: Kenny Moore

Kenny Moore was a first-hand witness to Bill Bowerman’s contrarian tactics. Moore ran the marathon at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics before spending 25 years as a journalist for Sports Illustrated. He co-wrote the screenplay for Without Limits, a movie about prodigious American runner Steve Prefontaine.

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