



A counter-cultural tradition thrives in Eugene. A former mayor called the city “The Anarchist Capital of the United States,” and a community of anarchists exists on the west side of town. But most of the counter-cultural environment stems from the 1960s, with much of it being the brainchild of former resident, author Ken Kesey. Co-ops dominated the scene in the ‘70s and Eugene still has the only food co-op in the U.S. that has no employees. Natural food stores (no, not Whole Foods) still pepper many neighborhoods while the public school system has included alternative schools for decades. Nicknames for the town include “The Emerald Empire,” and “The People’s Republic of Eugene.”

There are no other major colleges that refer to themselves as Ducks (sorry, Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, you don’t count) and the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks (that’s hockey for those that don’t know) are the only pro sports team with the Ducks moniker.
Mascot – Donald Duck. As mentioned above, the University has been using Donald Duck – or a near facsimile – as its mascot for years. However, they’ve pretty much fazed Donald out. And for that you can thank Nike and their complete control that they have of the design of the Oregon brand. But Donald was almost ousted in 1978. At that time the campus newspaper, the Emerald was publishing a satirical supplement called the Immorald.


Logo – A simple, round O. For years the University of Oregon was represented on the fields of play by and an interlocking “UO,” typically in a classic-collegiate block font. There was also the use of a fighting Donald making his way through a block O, though this was never represented on the football helmets.
But then things changed in the mid to late 1990s. With some huge Nike dollars, the athletic department, and the entire university changed their identity. Out was the cute cartoon duck and traditional interlocking letters. In came the O. Now as Nike designs go, the O isn’t that bad. And the university has been consistent in applying it to everything the university does. After years of just being quiet and cute, Oregon had an identity. And they had a real good football team. For years the Ducks were a non-entity in the Pac 10. But since the late ‘90s, Oregon has been a top-tier Pac 10 team, and a player at times on the national stage. And though the Nike dollars had a lot more to do with that than the Nike design, the O has given Oregon a strong identity that is recognizable throughout college sports.

Fight Song – Mighty Oregon. Written in 1916 by the director of bands and one of his students, it's a pretty forgettable song. The tune is well-known among current Ducks and alumni, but the song is notorious for having most of the lyrics mumbled instead of sung. Maybe it’s because they keep changing the words which have undergone numerous alterations in the last 90 years. The current lyrics are as follows:
Oregon, our Alma Mater,
We will guard thee on and on,
Let us gather 'round and cheer her,
Chant her glory, Oregon!
Roar the praises of her warriors,
Sing the story, Oregon,
On to victory urge the heroes
Of our Mighty Oregon!
Go! Ducks! Go!
Fight! Ducks! Fight!
Go!
Fight!
Win! Ducks! Win!
These bear almost no resemblance to the original lyrics which sound more like something you might sing while watching one of the girls from Beer Bong Friday:
She is small our Alma Mater
But she rules with strength and right,
What she lacks in mass and numbers
She makes up for in her fight
Oregon is never beaten
'Till the final whistles call.
Who can tell her tale of triumph?
Scores can never show it all.
Oregon, our Alma Mater
We will guard thee on and on
Fellows gather round and cheer her
Chant her glory Oregon
Roar the praises of her warriors
Sing the story Oregon
Down the gridiron urge the heroes
Of our mighty Oregon.
Rally fellows, stand behind them,
They are doing all they can.
Back the team in sun and shadow,
Back the captain, back each man.
They will carry home the vict'ry
To old Deady's hallowed hall.
Give the team the best that's in you.
Give your Alma Mater all.
Academics – According to the most recent U. S. News Ranking of America's Best Colleges Oregon is tied for the 112th spot with such football powerhouses as Florida State, South Carolina, Dayton, Ohio, and Loyola (IL). They just beat out conference foe Washington State (118th), and, most importantly to Ducks everywhere, they are ranked higher than Oregon State. The programs with the best reputation at UO are education - particularly special education - and creative writing.
Athletics – As mentioned above, the Oregon football program was an afterthought until 1994 when they won their first outright conference championship and went on to the Rose Bowl. Soon after they became a perennially competitive team, including another Pac 10 championship in 2001, ending the year ranked #2 in the nation. Their football season is highlighted with a season-ending game against intrastate rival Oregon State. “The Civil War,” which was a fierce rivalry even when both teams were winning two or three games a year, dates back to 1894.
The basketball team has made only nine NCAA tournament appearances, though the Ducks did win the first NCAA title in 1939. They play at the oldest on-campus basketball court in the nation, McArthur Court.
Interestingly, Oregon has not fielded a baseball team since 1981, despite having a team as far back as 1876, winning 14 conference titles, and producing 22 major leaguers. However, baseball will again be a varsity sport starting in 2009. Maybe the Ducks finally got jealous that Oregon State won the last two College World Series titles.
But it’s not football, basketball, or baseball that’s put Oregon athletics on the map. It’s track and field, particularly distance running. Legendary coach Bill Bowerman's teams won four NCAA titles in his 24 seasons at the helm of the Ducks, and his teams finished in the top ten in the nation 16 times.

You can’t mention Oregon athletics without mentioning Nike.Hell, Know Your Foe's mentioned the company several times already. The two are intertwined with more than just history. After all, the ubiquitous Swoosh was designed by a UO student in 1964, who was paid $35 for her efforts. Nike co-founder Phil Knight has been generous with grants to the university, particularly the athletic department. And there’s no doubt that the football team has benefited greatly from the money and the exposure that Nike has brought. But Knight has involved himself with the teams, particularly in 2005 when he threatened to withhold donations unless track coach Martin Smith was fired. The athletic department acquiesced and soon after Knight pledged $100 million to the athletic department.

Author Ken Kesey (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest) left his mark on Eugene and the campus. Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk also graduated from Oregon. Since it’s in the Pacific Northwest, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, and Aldus founder and PageMaker creator Paul Brainerd are both Ducks. Anyone who has a Roth IRA can thank UO grad William Roth, who was also a five-time senator from Delaware.
Famous Ducks on the playing field include NFL hall of fame quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Norm Van Brocklin, along with all-time ass-kisser Ahamad Rashad who played as Bobby Moore while in Eugene. Russ Francis and Joey Harrington also played on the gridiron for the Ducks. UO has produced a fine list of coaches, even if they didn’t coach in Eugene. Former USC bosses John McKay and John Robinson attended Oregon, as did current NFL head coaches Norv Turner and Mike Nolan. Former NFL coaches Jack Patera and all-around nut Gunther Cunningham were also Ducks. Current Gonzaga head basketball coach Mark Few, along with NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson went to UO.
Ducks are represented in the entertainment field as well. Today show newsreader Ann Curry as well as ESPN anchor Neal Everett attended Oregon. Do you think they might have dated? TV writer (The A-Team) Steven J. Cannell is a Duck, as is Bullwinkle writer Allan Burns. Do you think the Michigan Marching Band knows about this? Does that mean they shouldn’t play the Bullwinkle theme on Saturday? Finally, former University of Michigan president Lee Bollinger got his B.S. from Oregon, but no U.S. Presidents have been Ducks.
The Game – There’s a ton of pressure on both of these teams. The pressure on Michigan is apparent. With their BCS title dreams dashed before classes even started, the Wolverines have to avoid falling to 0-2 which could lead to a complete collapse, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in Ann Arbor since 1968. Meanwhile, Oregon has to win to avoid their fans saying “You lost to a team that lost to a I-AA school.” Meanwhile, neither defense looked that good last week, though at least Oregon’s offense was impressive. The embarrassment from last week isn’t enough to carry the Wolverines. OREGON 45, MICHIGAN 41.
11 comments:
From the department of little known facts...The reason they used Uof O for Animal House is because they didn't for 'The Graduate'. When the producers wanted to film the college scenes with Katherine Ross and Dustin Hoffman, the president said no. After it won an Oscar for best picture, he caught a lot of flak over the loss of publicity. When Animal House asked, he never even wanted to see the script (which would have been a dealbreaker for a pussy academic). After that, chaos ensued.
On a personal note. Could you fuck-ups please win this week to salvage some dignity back for the Big Ten. I know there is no I in team but there are two in Michigan. Play like you have a pair.
Steve Prefontaine? Yeah, he might go down on the list as a famous alumnus. Just sayin.
Despite what happens this weekend at least we are still unbeaten in the Big 10!
I came in to comment on the lack of Pre, looks like matt beat me to it.
Comment
i predicted a few days ago in a comment that oregon would win 45-42.
one thing we won't see in this game: defense.
or made field goals.
Duck Fan replies:
This is great. Good job.
I feel if it gets to a kicking game this could get ugly fast. I am not sure either team has a great toe.
About the Duck mascot. Walt Disnet's daughter is an Oregon grad. (50's). In fact, I have been told that that is how the hand shake deal came about. It has been said that it Walt and the then current AD shook on the 50 yard line, at old Hayward field.
Also, many of my friends say that is why I have a Micky Mouse education (Ha).
I could tell you more than you want to know about the mascot, but I will spare you. One interesting thing is that when "Robo" ('02) Duck came out it was Disney trying to seperate the school from the Disney trademark. Robo Duck was a Nike thing and I think the fans said "enough already" After much begging and $$ the Disney folks gave in and extended the relationship with a ton of conditions, and Donald was back. One thing, is that the costume has go back to Disney for refurb. after almost each game.
BTW, if you (M) run up the middle Sat., you will run up the score.
I am a duck fan but I am not out of my mind. I just hope we look like a 1 A program Sat. on ABC.
Score M 48 OR 17 Oregon may win the stats, but not the game. Only way we pull it off is with a lot of Mich. turnovers.
Christalmighty! God forbid they film 'The Graduate' at the school at which it actually took place! It isn't like it's an ugly campus or anything
Wow, I have to admit I'm a bit surprised you pick Oregon to win. Altough Michigan was pathetic last week I have to believe (maybe I'm drinking the Kool-Aid) Michigan is going to bounce back this week.
Didn't Oregon give up like a million yards (ok, 500+) last week to Houston? I'm not sure App State wouldn't beat Houston ...
I'm thinking (okay, hoping) something more like UM 55, UO 35 ...
for all of you pre fans, he never graduated, not to say that doesn't make him and alumni, he is, but...
maybe the team can read a few of his quotes before they play and think like he did. balls out till you win
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