Eugene, OR - Gather round this Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Alton Park (picnic shelter off the main parking lot) as we recognize Lance Deal. This short ceremony will occur at the start of the monthly Oregon Track Club run/walk.
Last spring, an Oregon22 Heritage Trail plaque honoring Lance was installed on a light pole at the intersection of the footpath to Autzen and Day Island Road. Thursday's OTC run/walk route travels past the plaque and will be a great way to honor Lance.
When Lance first arrived in Eugene, the only practice field for the hammer was right here in Alton Baker Park, between here and the Frohnmayer Footbridge. He spent many hours in the Park, and it is a special place to him.
Lance is a 4-time Olympian and the 1996 Silver Medalist in the Hammer. Lance took gold in the 1995 and 1996 Pan American Games and in the 1996 IAAF Grand Prix Final. Lance has been inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the University of Oregon, Montana State, and USA Track and Field (USATF).
Lance was a very successful coach for the University of Oregon, oversaw Hayward Field improvements for many years, and is a long-time Oregon Track Club favorite. These days, he innovates and manufactures hammer cages. Prior to the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 last summer, he developed a folding cage system that allowed the hammer to be contested inside Hayward Field and assisted the City of Creswell to construct a hammer cage ahead of hosting the Finland federation.
Learn more about the 22 athletes honored along the Oregon22 Heritage Trail and be sure to visit their plaques as you travel throughout Oregon.
