Preliminary work on Hayward Field's reconstruction project Monday drew an angry response from those seeking to save the east grandstand of the 99-year-old University of Oregon track stadium.
Photos and videos circulating on the internet appear show workers taking out benches from the east grandstand.
University of Oregon spokesman Tobin Klinger said in an email that contractors were doing "prep work and some early salvage."
Bob Penny, informal leader of a group seeking to preserve the east grandstand, issued the following statement:
"In our opinion as of this morning, June 11th, The University of Oregon is in noncompliance with state statute ORS 358.