William Jay Bowerman, better known as Bill Bowerman, was an American track and field coach and co-founder of Nike, Inc. Bowerman is most known outside of track and field circles for his work as the creator of Nike. He coached 31 Olympians, 51 All-Americans, 12 American record-holders, 22 NCAA champions, and 16 sub-four-minute milers throughout his tenure. Discover more about Bill Bowerman as you keep reading.
Early Life and Career
Bill Bowerman was born William Jay Bowerman was born to Jay Bowerman, a former governor, and Elizabeth Hoover Bowerman on February 19, 1911, in Portland, Oregon, United States of America. William was born under the Pisces zodiac sign and was of American nationality and white ethnicity. William was raised in Christianity alongside his siblings Thomas Bowerman, Mary Elizabeth Bowerman, and Dan Bowerman.
He attended Medford and Seattle schools before returning to Medford for high school. In high school, William was part of the school’s band. He met his wife, Barbara Young, while a high school student in Medford. After finishing high school, William enrolled at the University of Oregon to play football and study journalism in 1929. He taught biology and coached football at Portland’s Franklin High School after graduating in 1934. In 1935, Bowerman returned to Medford to teach and coach football for a team that claimed the state championship in 1940.
Quick Wiki/Bio
| Name | William Jay Bowerman |
| Nickname | Bill Bowerman |
| Gender | Male |
| Age (death age) | 88 years old |
| Date of Birth | February 19, 1911 |
| Place of Birth | Portland, Oregon, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| High School | Medford and Seattle schools |
| University | The University of Oregon |
| Credentials | Unknown |
Career
Military career
Bowerman served in the ROTC and Army Reserve before joining the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served a year at Fort Lawton in Washington before being transferred to the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado. Bowerman was a member of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, which later joined the 10th Mountain Division.
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Bowerman was responsible for organizing the soldiers’ supplies and caring for the mules that carried the supplies through the mountains. The division arrived in Naples, Italy, on December 23, 1944, and quickly proceeded north to the mountains of northern Italy.
During his duty tenure, Bowerman was promoted to Major and given command of the First Battalion of the 86th Regiment. In the days leading up to the German army’s total surrender in Italy, Bowerman arranged a stand-down of German forces at the Brenner Pass. Bowerman was awarded the Silver Star and four Bronze Stars for his service. He was discharged with honor in October 1945.
Coaching Career (University of Oregon)
In 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1970, Bowerman and his Oregon Men’s Track team won four NCAA championships and 24 individual NCAA titles (15 out of 19 events). During Bowerman’s tenure as head coach, the team achieved 16 NCAA top-10 finishes in less than 24 years.
Bowerman had 33 Olympians, 38 conference winners, and 64 All-Americans on their track and field teams. He coached 31 Olympic competitors, 12 American record holders, 51 All-Americans, 22 NCAA winners, and 16 four-minute mile runners. Bowerman coached at the University of Oregon for 24 years, winning 23. Bowerman’s teams finished in the top ten in the country up to 16 times.
Nike
In 1964, Phil proposed to Bill and Barbara Bowerman that they establish a shoe company with him. Barbara properly contributed $500 as the company’s seed capital. Soon after that, Bowerman and Knight founded Blue Ribbon Sports distribution company. Initially, the company sold shoes made by other predominantly Japanese manufacturers but eventually shifted to manufacturing its footwear.
Bowerman’s innovative design concepts led to the creation of the “Nike Cortez” running shoe in 1968, which became a best-seller among track athletes and remains one of Nike’s most well-known, recognizable, and iconic footwear designs today. Bowerman created additional Nike sneakers. Famously, Bowerman utilized his wife’s Belgian waffle iron and waffle-ironed rubber to create a new sole with enhanced traction while remaining lightweight.
Bowerman’s renowned design inspiration led to the “Moon Shoe” introduction in 1972. Additional refinements by Bowerman resulted in the Nike “Waffle Trainer” (1974), which helped establish the Nike brand. Nevertheless, Bowerman’s shoe experiments would have a price. Bowerman suffered from severe nerve damage, which led to significant mobility issues due to working in confined, poorly ventilated spaces and utilizing hazardous glues and solvents. Unfortunately, Bowerman could no longer run in the shoes he had created.
Legacy
Bill Bowerman is a member of numerous Halls of Fame, including the USA National Track and Field HOF, the National Distance Running HOF, and the Oregon Sports HOF.
Net Worth
How much was Bill Bowerman at the time of his passing? Bill Bowerman had a net worth of $400 million at his death. A lot is known about his worth.
| Net Worth | $400 million |
| Profession | Track and Field Coach and Entrepreneur |
Personal Life
Was Bill Bowerman married? Bill Bowerman was married to his long-time girlfriend, Barbara Young, whom he met in high school. On June 22, 1936, Bill and Barbara exchanged marriage vows at a private ceremony. The two lovebirds gave birth to three children named William J. Bowerman, Jr, Jon Bowerman, and Thomas Bowerman. They were born on November 17, 1942, June 22, 1936, and May 20, 1946.
| Spouse | Barbara Young Bowerman (m. 1936–1999) |
| Children | William J. Bowerman, Jr, Jon Bowerman, and Thomas Bowerman |
| Parents | Jay Bowerman and Elizabeth Hoover Bowerman |
| Siblings | Thomas Bowerman, Mary Elizabeth Bowerman, and Dan Bowerman |
Death
Bill Bowerman died in late 1999 at 88, at his home in an assisted living facility in Fossil, Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Bill Bowerman’s net worth before he died?
As of this writing, he was worth $400 million.
How old was Bill Bowerman when he died?
He was 88 years old when he died.
What is Bill Bowerman’s ethnicity?
Bill Bowerman is of white ethnicity.
