I met Pat Tyson in a history lecture class at the University of Oregon in September of 1971. 

Tyson was a varsity distance runner who was part of the Oregon 1971 NCAA Cross Country Championship team. 

Tyson finished 31st in that race.

His more famous roommate, Steve Prefontaine, was the individual champion that year. 

These spikes were made for Tyson by Puma, but he never wore them. 

Tyson gave them to me while they were still in the box.

These truly are mint-condition shoes, as they have never been worn.

The class in which Tyson and I met was taught by Professor Robert Berdahl, who later went on to serve as interim President of the University of Oregon.

Tyson was coach of the legendary Mead High School (Spokane, WA, US) distance running program, and now is head coach at Gonzaga University, also in Spokane.

He and I remain friends to this day.