The Granddaddy of them All

Caitlin H.

January 2, 2010 - 11:20 AM

Well, the Ducks lost.

And we all won at the same time. What an awesome post-season experience!

Friday afternoon the Ducks fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl after a game full of highs and lows. As I stood in the arena surrounded by my friends I felt overcome with inspiration.
I had spent days getting excited about the moment of this game and it had finally come! And the best feeling I could have imagined was walking in the stadium and seeing familiar face after familiar face. All the way in southern California, I felt at home in the company of Duck fans - our tight-nit community traveled well.

This football game felt like a celebration of the football season as well as a fantastic fall term, and a celebration of the history of the University of Oregon and Ohio State University. Maybe this sounds crazy, but something struck me during the game. On fourth down with 8 yards to go, Chip Kelly believed in our boys to make a play in a situation many coaches would have punted the ball away. But our coach had faith, and trust. And the Ducks responded with a big play and a first down keeping the ball and continuing their opportunity to score. And so I started wondering: If I were to take that mentality off of the field, what would it mean?

I think it has already happened. I have been fourth down with a long way to go, but I'm taking chances and going for big plays in life. I'm applying to graduate programs I'm not sure if I will be admitted to, I'm looking for jobs that sound amazing but I'm not sure if I'm a cut above the rest and deserving of. I trust my University of Oregon education to help me make those big plays. After everything I have accomplished in my time at the UO, I feel inspired to tackle the next big challenge on and off the field. I feel as though I'm surrounded by a community that believes in me to achieve my dreams.