The Other Side of the Tracks

David R.

October 25, 2009 - 4:24 PM

During past Oregon football games I had wondered what it was like being the fan of the opposing team in a large division one football stadium. I had never had such an experience, but I was very curious because I always see this group of people being playfully taunted by the faithful home crowd. I wanted to see what a game was like on the other end, so this last weekend I decided it was time for me to attend a game as a visiting Duck fan, and I went up to Seattle, WA to watch the Ducks trounce the Huskies in their own stadium. I left on Friday night to drive up to Bellevue, WA, where I stayed for the duration of the weekend. On Saturday morning I piled into the a car with four others to begin tailgating over at Husky Stadium. As we got closer we could slowly start to see the stadium grand stands. What began looking like nothing more than a high school football stadium emerged in to one of the University of Washington's most respected structures. Husky Stadium holds the right to be seen as big brother to Autzen, as it has a greater capacity for more boisterous fans. Being that I had never had the experience of being one of the minority at a college football game, I really didn't know what to expect as far as harassment from Washington fans. Some stuck with the traditional booing, while others felt that food tossing and a stronger verbal assault was more appropriate. It was all in good fun for the most part. With the high population of Duck fans present, never were we in any sort of real harm, and the majority of the home fans just enjoy being playfully competitive. Although we received constant heckling, I loved being able to experience what opposing fans always have to sit through in Autzen. As game time neared, some of the jeering escalated to beer pouring, and a majority of Oregon fans participated in the "U-Scrub" chant.

Tensions were high within the stadium, but it was fun to be able to represent Oregon pride in another team's stadium, and it only got better as Oregon established a commanding lead. The offense unleashed a brutal onslaught that seemed it might not ever end, as the defense was able to contain the versatile Washington quarterback Jake Locker. Bragging rights were established for another year, and Husky fans were forced to take the "walk of shame" across their own campus.

One of the great things about being at the University of Oregon is that fact that it is part of a renowned division that is respected across the nation. Because of this Oregon students have the opportunity to travel to different cities along the west coast to cheer on their Ducks against many different teams, in many locations, that make for a fantastic game experience. From USC in Los Angeles to the Huskies in Seattle, Duck fans can represent the U of O and cheer on the team as they fight for control of the Pacific 10. My experience at Husky Stadium was incredible, and hopefully I can make a few more, to the Rose Bowl perhaps?