Hayward was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Canadians and he grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4] An all-around athlete likened to Jim Thorpe, Hayward excelled at ice hockey, rowing, wrestling, boxing, and played lacrosse on one of the Ottawa Capitals' world championship teams of the 1890s.[4] Hayward was also renowned as one of Canada's fastest sprinters, running distances from 75 to 600 yards.[4] His last name was originally spelled Heyward; he changed it later in life, when he headed west.[1]
In 1903, Hayward took the head job at Albany College (now Lewis & Clark College in Portland), where his track team defeated the University of Oregon.[4] Oregon promptly hired him as their first permanent track coach the next year.[2][6]
Oregon and Olympic career
Hayward, circa 1919
As head coach of the UO track and field team, Hayward (who was known as "Colonel Bill" due to his gruff demeanor) built it into one of regional dominance and national prominence over his 44 years as coach. In all, he coached four track world record holders, six American record holders, and nine Olympians.[4] Notable Oregon athletes trained by Hayward include:
In addition to his track coaching duties, Hayward served as the athletic trainer for Oregon's football team, where he was known for inventing knee braces and other equipment for the players.[8] He also coached UO's basketball team from 1903 to 1913 and again in 1917–1918, compiling an overall record o 34–29 (.540).
Prior to 1921, Hayward's athletes trained at Kincaid Field, which was also the site of Oregon's football field. The field was upgraded several times to accommodate the needs of the growing track and field program, but by 1912, plans for a new facility were made.[10] In 1919, a new football field was built and named Hayward Field in his honor; it was dedicated during halftime of its first football game, but Hayward was busy working as the trainer during the break and was not aware of the honor until the next day.[1] It was two more years before track and field facilities were installed at the new venue.[10] The opening of Autzen Stadium for football in 1967 gave the track and field team exclusive use of Hayward Field, except for a few freshman football games.[11]
Death and legacy
Hayward's grave marker at Rest-Haven Cemetery
Hayward retired from coaching at age 79 in the fall of 1947. He was hospitalized a few months later after being stricken with a heart ailment, and died at Sacred Heart Hospital on December 14, 1947.[3][12] Hayward was buried at Rest-Haven Cemetery in Eugene.[13]
John Warren succeeded Hayward for the 1947–48 school year, giving way to Bill Bowerman, who became Oregon's head track coach in 1948.
Hayward was an inaugural inductee to both the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1980[14] and the University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.[6] In 2005, he was inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.[15] The Bill Hayward Amateur Athlete of Year Award is given annually to the best amateur athlete in the state of Oregon.
