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Trials Tickets Go On Sale Aug. 15
EUGENE, Ore. (August 7, 2006) ----- With athletes, members of the media and supporters looking on, the Eugene Local Organizing Committee announced "first call" for the 2008 Olympic Track & Field Trials with the unveiling of the committee's brand identity and Web site during a reception Monday evening at the Hilton Eugene & Conference Center.
Created by Nike's legendary designer Tinker Hatfield, a University of Oregon alum, the logo features Hayward Field's East Grandstand as seen from the Bowerman curve. In the background there is a towering fir tree stretching tall to a warm summer sky and sun.
Hatfield described the symbolism of his design by saying, "I really felt that the Olympic Trials should be (seen as) a true regional event which brings sport, art, music and the Eugene-Springfield regional culture all together."
"I love the old East Grandstand and can still remember how the structure packed full of the best track fans in the world would shake and rumble when Pre or Leann Warren would push the pace. It's an iconic shape and fits the bill as the star symbol for the Trials. The Grandstand represents the history and great tradition of track and field in Eugene," he says.
Fans will get their first look at the graphics at tomorrow night's Road to Eugene '08 high performance track and field meet. Banners featuring the new logo will be placed in key locations around the exterior and interior of Hayward Field. Limited edition t-shirts sporting the logo will be available for purchase during the meet.
"Tinker did an outstanding job capturing Eugene's rich history and spirit of track & field," said Vin Lananna, co-chairman of the Eugene Local Organizing Committee and University of Oregon associate athletic director/director of track and field. "Our organization now has an identity that will be recognized immediately by fans, athletes and sponsors throughout the country and around the world."
A video program produced by Chambers Productions explained to about 200 invited guests the story behind the inspiration and creation of the Eugene '08 brand identity graphics. The event was hosted by Joe Giansante, executive producer for the Oregon Sports Network.
The committee's Web site will go live Tuesday, Aug. 8, as part of the Road to Eugene '08 celebration. The Web site, www.eugene08.com, was created by a team from Symantec, headed by Joe Jentzsch. It features timely information about the Trials, including news, features, important links, volunteer registration, and ticket information.
"We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Symantec team to create an outstanding Web site that is now the main conduit for fans and volunteers to keep up-to-date on the Trials, " said Greg Erwin, co-chairman of the Eugene Local Organizing Committee. "In fact, fans will want to go to the Web site August 8th (tomorrow) to find out more about purchasing ticket packages for the Olympic Trials, which I am pleased to announce will go on sale August 15th at 9 a.m. (PDT)."
In addition, Erwin announced there are still tickets available for Tuesday night's Road to Eugene '08 high performance track and field meet sponsored by Nike and the Eugene Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 U. S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, in partnership with the Professional Athletics Association (PAA), USA Track & Field (USATF) and its Athletes Advisory and High Performance Committees, the University of Oregon, and the Oregon Track Club. Chambers Productions/KEZI-9 is the exclusive television partner for the Road to Eugene '08 meet.
Tickets for the Road to Eugene '08 are $15 each for reserved seating and $10 each for general admission. They are available at the Casanova Center ticket office, www.goducks.com and 800-WEBFOOT.
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