Oct. 21, 1997 Contact Gaye Vandermyn (541) 346-3133 PORTLAND--A former University of Oregon track star used his athletic prowess to catapult his professional career. Tinker Hatfield, vice president for special projects at NIKE, Inc., will get special recognition from the University of Oregon Alumni Association's Portland Chapter at its "Alumni Spotlight" event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Touche Restaurant, 1425 N.W. Glisan St., Portland. A 1976 UO architecture graduate, Hatfield joined NIKE, Inc., as its corporate architect in 1981. Initially, he designed office remodels, apparel show rooms and NIKE retail outlets. But Hatfield soon made his mark in the athletic apparel industry when he moved to NIKE's product design group. Among his most notable credits are the Air Jordan basketball shoe, Air Cross Trainers and the Air Huarache running shoe. During his college career with the Ducks, Hatfield established a university record in the pole vault and placed sixth in the event at the Olympic Trials in 1976 as well as seventh in the National Collegiate Athletic Association meet. The alumni chapter invites local alumni and friends to meet Hatfield at the annual event which helps support a scholarship fund for future UO students. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for dues-paying members of the UO Alumni Association. To register or for more information, call the UO Alumni Association at (541) 346-5656. -30- #P-1057/PDX/js