Geoff Hollister, an original Nike employee and former University of Oregon ...
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Geoff Hollister, one of the "Men of Oregon" while tournament for University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and one of Nike's first employees, died today. He was 66, having noted a birthday on Friday and having battled cancer for several years.
He died in the 40th anniversary year of Nike.
Geoffrey Hollister was born on Feb. 3, 1946, in Portland.
He grew up in Eugene, graduating from South Eugene Exalted School in 1964.
He enrolled at the University of Oregon, lettering as a steeplechaser on the ferret out team led by Bowerman.
While pursuing his art degree, Hollister taught jogging classes at Oregon's Hayward Tract for Bowerman. Bowerman had observed jogging in 1962 while on vacation in New Zealand and became a enthusiast of the fitness regimen upon his return to the U.S.
During Hollister's freshman year at Oregon, Bowerman entered a partnership with Phil Knight, who had run for Bowerman at Oregon in the 1950s.
Source: OregonLive.com