The Rose Bowl...Finally

David R.

December 31, 2009 - 10:56 AM

It was painful to sit alone in my basement and listen to my roommate, who was already in Pasadena, describe to me how fun and energetic the Rose Bowl pep rally was. I was immediately overtaken by jealousy, and my father and I huddled around our computer trying to see if there was any way for us to get on an earlier flight to Los Angeles, so we too could enjoy the pre-game festivities. As you can imagine, every flight was full, and purchasing an additional one-way ticket to Los Angeles was in the thousands of dollars. I sat, frustrated, and continued to pack my bag, thinking how the remaining time until I left would seem like an eternity.

 

The morning finally came, and I couldn't get out of bed fast enough. Because of recent terror-related incidents, my dad, brother, and I decided to head to Denver International Airport extra early to try to account for the additional measures being taken to ensure security. One of my friends from high school, for whatever reason, is a HUGE Ohio State fan. He left for the Sugar Bowl yesterday, and informed me that Denver International Airport was overrun with Ohio State fans. Knowing this, I decided to take it upon myself to show some support for our Ducks. Once we entered the airport, I was decked out in Oregon gear from my head to my feet. An Oregon hat, with an Oregon basketball jersey and Oregon sweatpants were all I needed to represent my school and our nationally renowned football team.

 

I am sitting here at the gate, waiting for my flight to depart, and since I have been in the airport, I have seen multiple Oregon fans with a similar destination. It was fun to run into some fellow Ducks in a location so far away from Eugene, or Pasadena. We conversed for a few minutes about the plans for the weekend and then parted ways through the busy airport. It is entertaining to be in the airport right now, because it is full of many other bowl game participants, traveling to games, or home from them. On my way through the terminal I saw a large pack of Nebraska Cornhusker fans who were all traveling home from San Diego, where the Huskers and powerful Ndamukong Suh had no problem defeating the Wildcats of Arizona. All of the restaurants and bars in the airport have given in to the bowl fever, as every t.v. seems to be broadcasting the bowl game currently being played.

 

I remember, after Oregon defeated Oregon State, the plans for attending the Rose Bowl were born, but it seemed so far away. The day is finally hear, and I am having trouble sitting still due to my overwhelming level of excitement for the upcoming weekend. I have never been to any bowl game before, not to mention one with such significance. It will be nice to escape the frigid Colorado weather and enjoy some of that southern California sunshine. The Ducks have prepared for a month, and I'm anxious to see the tricks they have in store for those pesky Buckeyes. Go Ducks!

[0 Comments]

On the Slopes

David R.

December 27, 2009 - 6:59 PM

Waking up in the mountains this morning, it was difficult to get back in the skiing mode, as I haven't been for quite some time. The last time I was skiing in Colorado was exactly a year ago, when I made my last visit to Beaver Creek. I got out of bed, threw on some clothes, and went downstairs to enjoy the delicious complimentary breakfast.

 

When I came back to my room, I started the sometimes frustrating process of trying to decide what to wear out on the mountain. Obviously, no one wants to be cold, but at the same time, no one wants to be too hot either, which is possible, even in the mountains, if the sun happens to be shining in full, which it was today. I threw on a sweatshirt over a few thermals and began to walk out the door, when I remembered that I packed my Oregon basketball jersey in my bag. After a few minutes I decided that en light of the bowl season, I would wear my jersey over my sweatshirt to show my proud support for one of the best college football teams in the nation. Throughout the course of the day I heard some "go ducks" yelps from the crowd at the lift lines, which I acknowledged with a smile and wave. One of the lift operators commented on my jersey and how "sick" the Ducks are. As I was walking away I noticed that the worker was from Hot Springs, Arkansas. It made me glad to know that people from parts of the country other than Oregon have noticed and come to respect the accomplishments of the Ducks. Not only is Arkansas across the country from Oregon, but in it lies a school that competes in the SEC. It is nice to see that Oregon is gaining respect from even those people who live in an area that is over-run by the SEC, arguably the nation's most competitive conference. And, lets not forget about the notorious east coast bias towards teams on the west coast. People on the east coast rarely view west coast games, because of how late it is when these games are broadcasted. Because of this lack of exposure, those on the east coast, and in some parts of the southeast, have few reasons to believe that any west coast team is as good as the best teams located in the eastern and southeastern part of the country. Hopefully, on January 1st, these people who think this way will be given a reason (an Oregon victory) to think differently.

 

As far as the skiing goes, the conditions were great. The snow was soft for the most part, and the sun was shining constantly, which made for a perfect day on the mountain. Being out there today made me realize how fun skiing is, and how much I miss it when I cant go for some time. I am glad I attend the University of Oregon, because the surrounding Cascade Mountains give me the chance to continue participating in a hobby that I enjoy. The University of Oregon is located in one of the prettiest regions in the country, leaving students with plenty of options for leisure away from campus.

 

 

Waking up in the mountains this morning, it was difficult to get back in the skiing mode, as I haven't been for quite some time. The last time I was skiing in Colorado was exactly a year ago, when I made my last visit to Beaver Creek. I got out of bed, threw on some clothes, and went downstairs to enjoy the delicious complimentary breakfast.

 

When I came back to my room, I started the sometimes frustrating process of trying to decide what to wear out on the mountain. Obviously, no one wants to be cold, but at the same time, no one wants to be too hot either, which is possible, even in the mountains, if the sun happens to be shining in full, which it was today. I threw on a sweatshirt over a few thermals and began to walk out the door, when I remembered that I packed my Oregon basketball jersey in my bag. After a few minutes I decided that en light of the bowl season, I would wear my jersey over my sweatshirt to show my proud support for one of the best college football teams in the nation. Throughout the course of the day I heard some "go ducks" yelps from the crowd at the lift lines, which I acknowledged with a smile and wave. One of the lift operators commented on my jersey and how "sick" the Ducks are. As I was walking away I noticed that the worker was from Hot Springs, Arkansas. It made me glad to know that people from parts of the country other than Oregon have noticed and come to respect the accomplishments of the Ducks. Not only is Arkansas across the country from Oregon, but in it lies a school that competes in the SEC. It is nice to see that Oregon is gaining respect from even those people who live in an area that is over-run by the SEC, arguably the nation's most competitive conference. And, lets not forget about the notorious east coast bias towards teams on the west coast. People on the east coast rarely view west coast games, because of how late it is when these games are broadcasted. Because of this lack of exposure, those on the east coast, and in some parts of the southeast, have few reasons to believe that any west coast team is as good as the best teams located in the eastern and southeastern part of the country. Hopefully, on January 1st, these people who think this way will be given a reason (an Oregon victory) to think differently.

 

As far as the skiing goes, the conditions were great. The snow was soft for the most part, and the sun was shining constantly, which made for a perfect day on the mountain. Being out there today made me realize how fun skiing is, and how much I miss it when I cant go for some time. I am glad I attend the University of Oregon, because the surrounding Cascade Mountains give me the chance to continue participating in a hobby that I enjoy. The University of Oregon is located in one of the prettiest regions in the country, leaving students with plenty of options for leisure away from campus.

[2 Comments]

Tis the Season

David R.

December 26, 2009 - 5:56 PM

For the twentieth time in my life I woke up on Christmas morning in amazement that the wonderful holiday had come once again. After opening a few gifts, I couldn't help but notice that my gifts seemed to follow the University of Oregon theme. I received a green fleece to help keep me warm during the winter season. I also received a large yellow Under Armor tee shirt to wear around during my trips to the student recreation center. The last gift I received was certainly the best, and has made an excellent addition to the set of pictures in my basement. I received an enormous panoramic picture of Autzen Stadium during the game versus USC this season. The picture was taken during the the first half of the game, after Oregon scored its first touchdown to take a 9 to 3 lead, before the extra point. The picture was taken facing the larger, more intimidating south side of Autzen Stadium that seems to rise a mile high. As the picture was taken, the sun was beginning to set on Eugene, making for a beautiful view for all of those on the north side of Autzen. The stands were a sea of black, as the USC game was declared a blackout, given its significance as College Gameday was present. Below the picture on the bottom end of the frame there is some interesting information about Autzen Stadium and the USC game specifically. It says that due to the high number of people who crammed into Autzen Stadium to witness the game, that was the largest attendance for any football game in the history of the state of Oregon. It also says that due to its unique bowl-shaped configuration, Autzen Stadium consistently ranks in the top five for loudest venues in the country.

 

The winter holidays always have a way making me realize how grateful and fortunate I am for the opportunities I have. For many kids in the United States, the thought of attending college never even crosses their minds. I have been given the opportunity to attend the University of Oregon, one of the many prestigious universities across America. Consequently, I have been presented the opportunity to watch the Ducks compete in the Rose Bowl, one of the nation's most highly respected bowl games. The only reason I am going to this game is because, during the course of the last three years, I have become a very serious and dedicated Oregon Ducks fan due to my involvement in the University. Before attending the University of Oregon I wasn't very familiar with the University of Oregon, or Ohio State for that matter. If it hadn't been for my choosing of the University of Oregon, I would have never had a reason to go to the Rose Bowl this season. As I am in the middle of my third year at Oregon, I will do nothing but make the most of the special opportunity I have been given. My time at Oregon has been incredible, and I am proud to be a part of this great university.

 

 

[0 Comments]

Looking Forward.

David R.

December 21, 2009 - 10:00 PM

After a long day of work at Honeybaked Ham I come home and usually choose to relax for a few minutes in front of my television. I grab some pretzels and a delicious glass of 2% milk and I sit down to see what is new in the world. My channel of choice is channel 34, which is the station for ESPN. The broadcast at the time runs from start to finish, and during the breaks, almost every commercial is in some way related to Christmas, and all of the fantastic gifts that would make anyone gleeful on Christmas morning. This time of the year is one my favorites, as everyone seems to be in the Christmas spirit, despite the fact that each local mall turns into a temporary warzone for all of those last minute shoppers. It is nice to be able to relax at home with all of my friends and family who I haven't seen while I have been away at the University of Oregon.

 

Every college football fan knows that in addition to the Christmas season, December is also the season for all of the college bowl games. From time to time on the television, commercials will air for some of the most popular bowl games, like the National Championship, the Fiesta Bowl, and so forth. As lovely as the Christmas season is, I seem to forget all about it when the Rose Bowl commercials are played. The oldest and arguably the most renowned bowl game, which is also being referred to as "the grand-daddy of them all," happens to be hosting our number seven ranked Oregon Ducks. Everyone around me seems to be in a mad scramble trying to plan their Christmas festivities, while all I can think about is departing for Pasadena before the New Year. Every year my family and I take a trip up to the mountains for a few days after Christmas. My mother has been running around trying to make sure she doesn't forget any of the major necessities. Meanwhile, the three men of the family are constantly glued to the computer screen in our house, making sure we have our flights properly booked, our hotel room secured, and most importantly, our tickets to the game. I can't help it, but I find myself looking past all of the other normal highlights of the Christmas break, because I have been given the opportunity to do something that some college students never get to: to watch my school play in the Rose Bowl. I have watched most of the early bowl games, including the thriller the other night between Middle Tennessee State and Southern Miss. At times during these games, watching them from home, I came out of my seat due to the suspense, and I have never been a fan of any of the teams who have played so far. I can only imagine the adrenaline and excitement that will come along with watching my school's team play in front of the entire nation in one of the most popular bowls of the year. I have watched Rose Bowl games in the past, and sat in amazement, wondering what it would be like to be there. In less than two weeks I will finally know for myself.

 

Our Ducks have come a long way since the nationally televised mishap that occurred in Boise at the start of the season. After a poor showing by USC this season, some might say there is a new bully in the Pac 10. Come January 2nd, will the nation see the Oregon Ducks as a serious national title contender for next season? Time will tell.

 

 

[0 Comments]

Old Memories

David R.

December 17, 2009 - 12:17 PM

Last night I went to my first NBA game in over a year. The Denver Nuggets were hosting the Rockets of Houston. A few friends and I went to downtown Denver before the game to grab something to eat. We stopped at Earls, one of the favorites on the 16th Street Mall in Denver. After a quick meal we headed over to the Pepsi Center, commonly known as "the can," which is the home of the Denver Nuggets. The game got off to a relatively slow start, but the Nuggets were able to regain the lead, and win the game in a dominant fashion. Carmello Anthony, one of the league's best scorers, put up an impressive 38 points. After the game ended, we hopped back on to the light rail, which is the train system that runs through Denver and the surrounding suburbs. We got back to Littleton, where we all live, relaxed for a bit, and then decided to call it a night.

 

When I was younger my dad used to take me to Nuggets games all the time. Because I attend school in Oregon, the only time I am available to watch a game is during the winter break. Being at the game brought back a lot of good memories, some good, some bad. When I was a little kid, the Nuggets weren't too bad. They were always competitive and stuck it out in their Division. However, during my high school and early college years, the Nuggets were an absolute atrocity. An embarrassment to the game and to Denver one might say. During one season, the Nuggets were able to amass no more than 17 wins...in the entire season. The franchise was in a major hole. No one wanted to buy tickets, so consequently, the tickets were ridiculously cheap, around five dollars to get in. The Nuggets staff passed out promotional items at the beginning of every game in an attempt to try to boost the popularity of the struggling team.

 

A few years later, the Nuggets were able to acquire "the answer" Allen Iverson. What looked to be promising at first turned out to be another bust as the Nuggets just couldn't get it done. As many Denver fans were on the verge of throwing in the towel, the Nuggets made one of the best trades in franchise history: Giving Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Colorado native Chauncey Billups. The success that has come from this trade has been un measureable. Last year the Nuggets won their division, and made it to the semi finals against the high-powered Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets shocked the country and won two games in a series in which they were expected to be swept. The Nuggs have started well this season, and are currently in first place in their division.

 

As much fun as it is to be in the middle of Nuggets fever at home, I can't stop thinking about Ducks football. New Year's Day in Pasadena will be one of the greatest experiences of my life. The Ducks have the chance to shock the nation and beat one of its most popular teams. I miss Autzen Stadium, but I am hopeful that the Oregon faithful will transform the Rose Bowl into Duck Nation. We have all the tools to knock off Ohio State. Our tricky spread offense is capable of running the OSU defense all the way back to Columbus. Besides, can anyone tell me what a Buckeye is?

 

 

[0 Comments]