Me, Pre, and the Birth of Nike

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Since its start in 1972, Nike has employed nearly half a million people. Only four have outlasted our next storyteller, Steve Bence. Bence is Nike's Program Director in Global Sourcing and Manufacturing—and was an All-American runner under legendary track coach at Oregon, Bill Bowerman (who became the co-founder of Nike). Steve Bence is the author of 1972: Pre, UO Track, Nike Shoes and My Life with Them All

Photo Credit: Steve Bence [1st Photo: (Top to Bottom): Steve "Pre" Prefontaine and Steve Bence (May 29, 1975). 2nd Photo: In front of Feng Tay factory in 1978, (L-R) CH Wang, Ron Nelson, Phil Knight, Steve Bence, Del Hayes.]