RISE Athletics

Nike felt like home. And what a home to have had ❤️‍🔥

I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by the best.

Thank you , I’ll never forget it.

“Dear Ricardo,

First of all let me introduce myself my name is Steve Prefontaine and I am a distance runner at the University of Oregon. I graduated last year so I know what you are up against.
I was getting letters from all most every major university in the country. But before you make you final choice think about Oregon. The reason I picked it was that the coach here Bill Bowerman is the best distance coach in the world. Last year my best mile in competition was 4:06 already this year in practice I have run 4:01:08 and I’m not even a miler.
You are probably thinking about Kansas but dont forget that he has only had one good distance runner and that was Ryun and he ran him to death.
So before you finally decide, think Oregon for a while, the guys you would have to train with are great. And the people in Eugene think track all the way and are behind you all the way.
If you have any questions about the school please drop me a line.

Yours Truly

Steve Prefontaine”

My dad went on a visit to Oregon right before NCAA nationals but unfortunately Bowerman was in a bad mood because Pre had just cut open his foot so he told him to go anywhere else 😂. He ended up running at Harvard instead.

Grateful to have a dad and coach deep in running history ❤️.