Oregon Camaraderie

David R.

November 18, 2009 - 12:54 PM

As students begin their college search as seniors in high school, they can essentially take their pick from a vast majority of schools across the country. From enormous division one schools to the smallest of community colleges, each student can find the school that fits them the best. One of my favorite things about the University of Oregon is that our teams are all division one, which gets us notoriety around the country, and we have one of the most unique mascots in all of college sports. After graduation, people love to be able to represent their college and its mascot with pride. The college experience at a smaller school might be a great time, but it isn't as fun to represent a mascot that no one has ever heard of. I love being able to go home decked out in my University of Oregon attire. From my jersey to my hat to the bumper sticker on the back of my car, I love to be able to brag about the U of O. Because of the national recognition that Oregon receives, most people are familiar with the Ducks and the athletic success that they have displayed in the past, and specifically on the football field. Whenever I go home for the holidays, people always ask me what it was like during a specific football game, like when the Ducks beat USC in 2007 and set a record for decibel level within an outdoor stadium, doing so with no more than 59,000 fans. With a mascot originally created by Disney, Oregon is associated with one of the most well known symbols in college football. The University of Oregon is renowned for many reasons, such as the fact that the founder of Nike is a graduate. For this reason, some have referred to Oregon as "Nike U," as Phil Knight, also known as Uncle Phil, supplies our athletic programs with outrageous donations to help make them some of the best-known in the country. Why else do you think the Ducks can wear a different uniform for every game?

The Ducks will receive even more national recognition this weekend as they head down to Tucson, Arizona to take on the ever dangerous Arizona Wildcats. This game is being nationally televised due to its importance in the Pacific 10 Conference. College Gameday, the renowned Saturday morning football show that featured the Ducks on Halloween, will again feature a game involving Oregon as it too has decided to make the voyage to Tucson. The Ducks are currently ranked number 11 in the nation, and their remaining games against the Wildcats and the Oregon State Beavers could very well be the biggest factor in deciding who will represent the Pac 10 in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. All three teams are hanging tough, and unfortunately for Oregon, a dark cloud still looms over Arizona Stadium where all those watching in 2007 saw our national title hopes slip away as Dennis Dixon was sidelined for the season.

The game this week is very important, and hopefully the pieces will all come together so I will have something else to brag about over winter break...like a Rose Bowl birth perhaps.