Ellsbury Gives Back
Jacoby Ellsbury, centerfielder for the New York Yankees and former student-athlete at Oregon State University, has committed $1 million to help the OSU baseball program expand its locker room facilities. Goss Stadium, which has stood on the Oregon State campus since 1907, is the oldest continuous ballpark in the nation, and has been home to the Beavers since the program’s first pitch more than 100 years ago. “We are tremendously thankful,” said Pat Casey, who is in his 20th year as OSU’s head coach. “Great facilities are at the core of great programs, and with Jacoby’s generous gift we will be able to continue to offer our student-athletes a world-class experience.” The stadium has undergone several enhancements in recent years with support from donors. Prior to the 2009 season, nearly 1,000 seats were added down the left and right field lines and the Omaha Room created seating for approximately 70.
Former Duck sets American Record
Five-time NCAA champion and 14-time all-American while attending Oregon, Galen Rupp returned to Hayward Field in Eugene Friday night, breaking his own American record in the 10,000 meters during the Prefontaine Classic. Running a controlled pace before exploding through the final kilometer, Rupp, the Central Catholic High School of Portland graduate, broke the tape in 26 minutes, 44.36 seconds. He beat his previous record of 26:48.00 by nearly four seconds. Needing to average around 64 seconds per lap to threaten the record, Rupp and the lead pack ran a handful above 65 seconds over the final stages of the race. But he blistered the track with a 59.4-second penultimate lap, and then a 58.5 final lap. The 2012 Olympic silver medalist beat by more than a minute the time from his final 10,000 at Oregon, 27:52.53 in 2009.