Oregon's tendency to tinker with its uniforms has become something of a running joke across college football. The simple explanation of why the Ducks endure the unending permutations of their equipment is an overeager Nike marketing department. Yet there might be a deeper philosophical basis for the team's embracing of apparel experimentation. While Nike is inevitably associated with former UO runner Phil Knight, it was the Duck's innovative track coach Bill Bowerman that provided the initial inspiration for the company. Bowerman's insistence on experimentation as a way to gain the competitive edge was a foundation of his approach at Oregon and, through him, it became the corporate credo of the sports apparel giant. I take a look at Bowerman and his knack for innovation (and how it applies to the current football team) today over at SB Nation's running site, Stride Nation.