HALL OF FAME, NIKE CREATE BOWERMAN AWARD

UTICA, NY - The National Distance Running Hall of Fame and Nike, have
partnered to establish the Bill Bowerman Coaching Award. The Award will
be given annually to a US distance running coach who, like Bowerman
himself, believes that they are more teacher than coach, constantly nurturing
athletes to find the best within their mind and body.

Bowerman, the legendary University of Oregon track coach from 1949 -1972,
co-founded Nike, and revolutionized the running shoe. He helped turn
the college town of Eugene, Oregon, into the running capital of the world
and introduced to the US the importance of jogging and fitness. Bowerman
lead the University of Oregon to four NCAA team championships and
coached 44 All-Americans and 19 Olympians. The Bill Bowerman Coaching
Award was established to recognize Bowerman’s outstanding coaching
ability, his idealism, and his inspirational guidance.

Geoff Hollister, one of the pioneers of Nike who was also coached by
Bowerman, said there is no better way than the Hall of Fame award to honor
Bowerman. “Bill’s contributions to the running world and Nike were
enormous,” Hollister said. “No other coach has had a greater impact on
distance running in the United States than Bill.”

The Award will be presented at the 4th Annual Induction Ceremony of the
National Distance Running Hall of Fame in July. Nomination forms are
available on the Hall of Fame website at www.distancerunning.com and
through www.nikebiz.com, the corporate website for Nike. The deadline for
nominations is May 18, 2001.

“Mr. Bowerman was a true leader in distance running,” said John Petrone,
co-director of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. “He embodies
the distance running accomplishments that the Hall of Fame celebrates.
We’re very pleased to work with Nike to honor him.”

The Hall of Fame, located in Utica, NY, was established three years ago to
commemorate and honor the accomplishments of distance runners, preserve
and promote the sport of distance running, and to educate the many visitors
on the rich history of distance running in the United States.

Nike, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, markets its products in more
than 100 countries and is the world's leading sports and fitness company.

For more information, contact Vicki Wilson at (315)853-3941 ext. 30.