About this Project
Tom Heinonen
( b 1945 - ) Coaching Years: 1975-2003
Challenged Through Transitions
Advocate for Equality
Heinonen played an influential role in the development of women's athletics at Oregon during his 28-year tenure. To date, he has been the University's only full-time women's track and field and cross country coach.
An All-American at the University of Minnesota, Heinonen joined the Oregon coaching staff in 1975. He served as an assistant while attending graduate school and then became the women's head cross country and track and field coach the following year. He was promoted to full-time status in 1977.
Jumping Hurdles
Instrumental in the development of women's athletics at Oregon, Heinonen helped break the gender barrier in 1977. He fought to make the Oregon Twilight Meet co-ed, and after much resistance, he was successful. Heinonen continued to be an advocate of women's sports throughout his tenure at Oregon, helping to inspire and lead 134 All-Americans, ten Olympians, ten Academic All-Americans, and 14 individual national title winners. His portfolio of athletes includes Oregon standouts Kelly Blair, Annette (Hand) Peters, Lisa Martin, and Liz Wilson.
Heinonen's coaching strategies were rooted in his belief that runners needed to be committed to their own training regimes. He held formal "hard" workouts three times a week, leaving the remainder of training up to the athlete. A firm believer in alternating tough and easy days, Heinonen's approach proved successful, as he was named PAC 10 Coach of the Year eight times.
Running On
After a successful term at Oregon, Heinonen retired from his post in 2003, tired of the recruiting wars and politics of today's athletic landscape. However, his coaching days are certainly not over. He now volunteers as the head mentor for the University of Oregon running club.
