EUGENE, Ore. – When Texas A&M track and field coach Pat Henry heard that the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships would be held at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus through the year 2021, he took immediate action.

Henry, now in his 28th season of coaching, called his real estate agent.

 “I wanted to make sure I had some kind of property out there,” Henry said. “Since I’m going to be there for the next eight years, I might as well invest some dollars.”

 Henry was joking, of course, but it didn’t take away from his belief, one that is shared by numerous other coaches, athletes and fans, that the NCAA made the right call in awarding the NCAA Championships to TrackTown USA from 2015 to 2021.

 The 2014 NCAA Championships were already slated to be held at Hayward Field.

 “I’m happy for the people of Eugene,” Henry said. “I’m happy for the University of Oregon. I think it’s well deserved. It’s not something that anyone gave them. They earned it, and there’s a difference, in my opinion.