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The teams representing the University of Oregon, competing in the Big Ten Conference following the 2024 collapse of the Pac-12 Conference, are Eugene's most famous contribution to the sports world. Ducks sports have benefited enormously from the financial support of Phil Knight, UO alum and now-retired head of Oregon-based sports equipment giant Nike. The highest-profile Oregon team is the football team, which rose to become a perennial national contender in the early 2000s and also infamous for its highly colorful and variable uniforms. Oregon also has an extremely rich tradition in track and field, with Hayward Field known for its enthusiastic fans; the city has become known as "Track Town USA" because of this. Hayward Field was rebuilt in a project that was completed in 2021; the new stadium, expandable to 30,000, hosted the 2022 World Athletics Championships. The main sporting venues (including Hayward Field) are all on campus. The football stadium, Autzen Stadium, is famous as one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in American sports. The basketball teams have played at Matthew Knight Arena (nicknamed "Matt Arena"; named for Phil's son, who died in a scuba diving accident) since 2011. Ducks baseball plays at PK Park (not named for Knight), which is shared with the minor-league professional Eugene Emeralds.
Essentially the center of the town, and the reason for the town's modern growth.
At the University of Oregon. Free on Wednesdays between 5PM and 8PM.
At the University of Oregon.
Many claim "The Simpsons" statue of Jebediah Springfield is based on the bronze pioneer statue on the University of Oregon campus. Installed in 1919 by Alexander Phimister Proctor, it depicts a trapper carrying a rifle.
Minor League Baseball team with games during the summer.
One of the best-known historic track and field stadiums in the United States. Hayward Field has hosted three Olympic Trials, and a variety of National, NCAA, and Masters championships. University of Oregon. It hosted the 2022 World Athletics Championships.