PORTLAND — Geoff Hollister, who ran track for the Oregon Ducks and went on to become one of Nike’s first executives, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 66.

A number of athletes at last weekend’s New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston wore patches in support of Hollister, who died on Monday.

Hollister opened a Blue Ribbon Sports store in Eugene in 1968. The fledgling company founded by Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and alum Phil Knight later became Nike. He was also close to Oregon track star Steve Prefontaine.

Hollister retired from the company in 2002 but remained active as a consultant.