Jon Hendershott spent nearly 50 years writing about Track and Field has died

We are saddened by the news that Jon Hendershott, one of the most respected track and field journalists in America, died Monday April 9 at his home in Salem, Oregon due to complications from a stroke he suffered on Sunday. Hendershott, who spent nearly 50 years working for Track & Field News, was 71. Born July 20, 1946 in Bend, Oregon, Hendershott spent much of youth surrounded by track and field. His father was a high school and college track coach, a passion that was picked up by Jon. Hendershott learned of Track & Field News for the first time in 1962 at age 16 when his high school track coach shared the magazine with members of his team. He subscribed immediately, beginning a relationship that would last the rest of his life. He started working for Track & Field News in 1967 while studying at the University of Washington. Over the course of the next five decades, Hendershott covered hundreds of regional, national and international competitions, including nine Olympic Games and 15 world championships. Hendershott retired from Track & Field News in 2016 but continued to report on the sport on a freelance basis for several outlets, literally until his final days. On Saturday, the day before he suffered his fatal stroke, he traveled to Eugene to cover the Oregon Team Invitational. Respected by his colleagues, Hendershott was twice elected president of the Track and Field Writers of America. He also authored several books on the sport.

posted Wednesday April 11th