I personally met Prefontaine in 1974 in Princeton, New Jersey as a Senior in High School. They were given a day seminar for an elite group of Senior runners that day from New Jersey. Ironically, I was one of the slowest athletes invited to this event. My times were 4:27.81 for the mile, 9:38.40 for the two mile and a 14th place finish in X-Country for the group IV New Jersey Finals with a time of 15:51.1 for 3.1 miles. Prefontaine had incredible charisma, presence, and was openly approachable, friendly, and giving to all runners. I have his signature from this day! Because of him, and the meeting, came his positive influence, I went on to become the first family member to graduate from a University with a double B.A., and an M.S. degree, made All-American two times in the NCAA Finals, and went all to be ranked as a World Class runner running for New Balance, Etonic, and Kangaroo National Racing Teams from 1981 to 1984. He was my inspiration indeed, and gave me the strength to follow through. I cried deeply the day he was killed, and still retain the newspaper article in my scrap book of this drastic day along with his precious signature. He was magnetic in his character, personality, and love for people in the Sport! I came from an Orphanage as a baby to 13 years of age, abused by the Nuns, was in five (5) Foster homes from 13 years age to 15 years old, before being adopted by a loving family going forward. So running was my proactive escape from this harsh reality of life! So student/athletes have no idea how they affect ones life, but Steve Prefontaine gave me the inspiration and courage to push through life no matter how difficult it becomes and succeed---I shall and will miss him forever, as he was a Special Human Being on this planet Earth for the short duration he was here. Go Pre !
NICE TRIBUTE. GOTTA GO TO OREGON AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THE GUY. I REMEMBER THE DAY THEY SAID HE WAS GONE AND HOW I FELT. I ALWAYS SAID HE WOULD RUN VIREN'S GUTS OUT NEXT TIME IN MONTREAL, NOT LIKE THE SLOW PACED FIRST 2 MILES AT MUNICH. I WISH HE WOULD HAVE HAD THE CHANCE. YOU CAN R.I.P PRE, YOU HAD MORE BRASS THAN ANYONE. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THAT TOO.
