See Mariota's Heisman Trophy For Yourself In Portland

By Lizzy Duffy

Published May 22, 2015 at 8:45 AM PDT

<p> </p><p class="p1">Oregon's Marcus Mariota (right) tries to elude Ohio State's Michael Bennett during the 2nd quarter of the national championship game on January 12, 2015. Mariota is the first player in Oregon's history to receive the coveted Heisman Trophy. </p> — Oregon's Marcus Mariota (right) tries to elude Ohio State's Michael Bennett during the 2nd quarter of the national championship game on January 12, 2015. Mariota is the first player in Oregon's history to receive the coveted Heisman Trophy.

It's no Marcus Mariota sighting, but Portlanders will have the chance to experience a piece of state history with the Heisman Trophy coming to town next month.

The former University of Oregon quarterback's prestigious athletic award will be on display at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland in early June. The museum will have free admission for all exhibits between June 5 to 7, thanks to a sponsorship donation from Nike.

The Heisman Trophy has been presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City every year since 1935 to an NCAA football player who "exemplifies the pursuit of excellence with integrity."

Mariota is the first Duck and the first Hawaiian to ever be awarded the prestigious athletic trophy.

The award is named for John Heisman, a collegiate football coach who was also the first athletic director of the Downtown Athletic Club, and the founder of the National Football Coaches Association.

The Heisman Trophy will be displayed in the museum's pavilion along with memorabilia from UO football through the years, according to Geoff Wexler, OHS library director. Mariota won't be making an appearance, but Duck fans will be able to get gear from a pop-up Duck Store on the museum's plaza.

After the OHS exhibition, the Heisman Trophy will be moved back to Eugene. If you miss it Portland, the award will later be on permanent display at the UO Hatfield-Dowlin Complex.