Forty of us gathered in the West Grandstand of Hayward Field for the first day of Bowerman's class, September 27, 1971.

Below us, athletes' workouts were underway: Steve Prefontaine, Todd Lathers, Gary Barger, Mac Wilkins, Mike McClendon, Steve Bence, Craig Brigham, Patrick Tyson and many more.

All men, as women's sports were then at the club level, if at all.

I was drawn to this class by my early interest in all things track and field, most notably the Olympic stars of 1964 and 1968. And while I came to track and field from 'the dark side' - that would be soccer! - I had always liked to run. And six years of soccer provided me with an unexpectedly strong base.