An Olympic distance-runner, Steve Prefontaine was born on January 25, 1951 in Coos Bay, Oregon. Prefontaine became a cross-country runner in high school, winning the state title in his junior and senior year. He attended the University of Oregon from 1970-1973 where he as a member of Gamma Pi Chapter. At Oregon, he won three Division I NCAA Cross Country Championships and four straight 3 mile/5000 meter titles in track. He never lost an NCAA race at the 3 miles, 5000 meters, 6 miles, or 10,000 meters. His sights set on the 1972 Olympics, Prefontaine set the American record of 13:22.8 in the 5000 meters at the 1972 Olympic Trials. Competing in Munich during the Olympic games, Prefontaine placed fourth, just barely missing the bronze medal in the final meters of the race. His potential, however, was cut short. Prefontaine died in a car accident on May 30, 1975, just hours after completing in - and winning - his final race.
