From Eugene to famous

Quick — who’s the first person you think of when it comes to Eugene? Who is our city’s poster child?

Well, if you go to the city’s Wikipedia page, the first person listed under “notable people” is … Todd Christensen?

Yes, the former National Football League player who grew up here, attended Sheldon High School in the early 1970s and became an all-pro tight end with the Oakland Raiders.

Really?

I don’t think so.

As far as I know, Christensen is a great guy, but he hasn’t lived here in years.

Truth is, Eugene is or has been home to lots of notable folks in its 150-year history, and the names that most folks would list ahead of Christensen would include the likes of Ken Kesey (despite his growing up in Springfield and living much of his life on his farm in Pleasant Hill), track legend Steve Prefontaine, the legendary U.S. Sen. Wayne Morse or Eugene Skinner himself, the man for whom our city was named.

Of course, outside of Eugene, most folks have probably never heard of Eugene Skinner.

Herewith is an alphabetical sampling of some of the most famous folks with Eugene ties:

Sam Adams (1963- ) — 1982 South Eugene High School graduate, now the mayor of Portland.

Danny Ainge (1959- ) — 1977 North Eugene High School graduate who led the school to back-to-back state basketball championships before starring for the Boston Celtics. Now president of basketball operations for the Celtics.

Frank Black (1965- ) — Alternative rock musician and former frontman for the Pixies; moved to Eugene a few years ago.

Tracy Bonham (1965- ) — 1984 South Eugene High School graduate and Grammy-nominated alternative rock musician.

Bill Bowerman (1911-1999) — Legendary UO track and field coach who found another use for waffle irons.

Edgar Buchanan (1903-1979) — One-time Eugene dentist who acted at The Very Little Theatre, went on to play Uncle Joe in the 1960s TV show, “Petticoat Junction.”

Robert Cray (1953- ) — Five-time Grammy winning blues musician who formed the Robert Cray Band in Eugene in the late 1970s.

Ann Curry (1956- ) — 1978 UO graduate; TV journalist, co-anchor NBC’s “Today Show” from June 9, 2011 to June 28, 2012.

Mary Decker Slaney (1958- ) — American distance running star and world champion runner.

Jim Dutton (1968- ) — NASA astronaut who graduated from Sheldon High School in 1987.

Ashton Eaton (1988- ) — Five-time NCAA track and field champion at UO who broke world record in decathlon earlier this year and won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Dan Fouts (1951- ) — UO quarterback 1970-72 who went on to Hall of Fame career with San Diego Chargers; also longtime college and pro football broadcaster who now lives in Sisters.

Neil Goldschmidt (1940- ) — 1958 graduate of South Eugene High School; mayor of Portland, 1973-79; U.S. secretary of transportation, 1979-81; governor of Oregon, 1987-91; legacy and career severely damaged by revelations that he had a sexual relationship with a minor during his first term as Portland mayor.

Gregory Harrison (1950- ) — TV actor who starred in “Trapper John, M.D. in 1980s, now lives in Eugene.

Howard Hesseman (1940- ) — Actor best known for playing DJ Johnny Fever on the 1970s TV sitcom, “WKRP in Cincinnati,” attended the UO.

Mat Kearney (1978- ) — 1996 South Eugene High School graduate who’s carved out successful singer-songwriter career with several Top-40 hits.

Ken Kesey (1935-2001) — UO graduate and legendary Merry Prankster who wrote two famous American novels, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Sometimes a Great Notion.”

John Kitzhaber (1947- ) — 1965 graduate of South Eugene High; current governor of Oregon; also governor 1995-2003.

Phil Knight (1938- ) — 1959 UO graduate who founded Blue Ribbons sports (now Nike), along with Bowerman, in Eugene in 1964. Major UO benefactor in recent years.

Brian Lanker (1947-2011) — 1973 Pulitzer Prize winner for feature photography; Register-Guard photographer and graphics director 1974-1982; Sports Illustrated photographer and creator of several book projects.

Stan Love (1965- ) — NASA astronaut who graduated from Churchill High School in 1983.

Casey Martin (1972- ) — 1990 South Eugene High School graduate and former pro golfer who now coaches UO men’s golf team; successfully sued PGA Tour in 2001 for right to use golf cart in competition.

Kenny Moore (1943- ) — North Eugene High School graduate and former UO track star and Olympic marathon runner; longtime Sports Illustrated writer and author; also starred in “Personal Best,” 1982 movie filmed in Eugene,

Wayne Morse (1900-1974) — UO Law School dean in 1930s; legendary U.S. senator from 1945 to 1969; made brief run at U.S. presidency in 1960.

Steve Prefontaine (1951-1975) — University of Oregon and American distance running track and field legend.

Ahmad Rashad (1949- ) — He was Bobby Moore when he played football for the Ducks from 1969-71, before an all-pro career in NFL. Now a popular sportscaster.

Alberto Salazar (1958- ) — Former UO distance running star and winner of both New York and Boston marathons, now a coach for the likes of Galen Rupp and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah in Portland.

Curtis Salgado (1954- ) — 1972 Willamette High School graduate and popular Portland-based blues, R&B and soul singer-songwriter who gave John Belushi the idea for “The Blue Brothers.”

Paul Simon (1928-2003) — Former U.S. senator of Illinois who grew up in Eugene and ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president in 1988.

Eugene Skinner (1809-1864) — Our city’s founder, buried in Eugene’s Masonic Cemetery.

David Ogden Stiers (1942- ) — 1961 North Eugene High School graduate who went on to successful acting career, including playing Charles Winchester III on the hit TV series “M*A*S*H.”

Norm Van Brocklin (1926-1983) — UO quarterback in late 1940s who led team to the 1949 Cotton Bowl, and went on to Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

Mason Williams (1938- ) — Eugene resident and Emmy-winning guitarist and composer best known for his instrumental, “Classical Gas.”