Voting Station

Bill Bowerman

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Athlete

The Resume

    (February 19, 1911-December 24, 1999)
    Born in Portland, Oregon
    Track and field coach for the University of Oregon (1948-73)
    With cardiologist W.E. Harris wrote 'Jogging' (1967)
    Co-founder of Nike with Phil Knight

Why he might be annoying:

    He quit medical school to become a high school track coach.
    The US track team he coached at the Munich Olympics had a disappointing performance; he called the Olympics 'the worst experience I've had in my entire educational and athletic life.'
    He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Oregon State House of Representatives.
    He developed a limp from inhaling hexane fumes while experimenting with materials for shoes.
    When he was named to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame (1981), he refused induction because his college coach, Bill Hayward, had never been selected.
    He wore a lot of Tyrolean hats.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He had a twin brother who died in an elevator accident when they were two years old.
    He was married to Barbara Young for 63 years until his death.
    He received four Bronze Stars and a Silver Star for his service during World War II.
    During his 24 years as head coach, the Oregon track team finished in the top ten in the nation 16 times.
    He had a handshake deal with Phil Knight.
    He designed Nike's early successes, including the Cortez (1968), the Moon Shoe (1972) and the Waffle Trainer (1974).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 31 Votes: 48.39% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 35 Votes: 54.29% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying