Proud to be a Duck...

...well, by association that is. My husband attended University of Oregon for Grad school and is a proud Duck. So, by association, I'm vicariously a duck through him...but it's to the point that you would think I went there too. While I loved being an Aztec and a Bulldog, I had never really experienced a true college football game. At SDSU, football games were more of a fashion show for the sororities and fraternities (and I'm anti-greek) so you can imagine how much fun that was for me. bleh. The majority of the spectators didn't even watch the game, let alone wear school colors or display team spirit...although the Aztec mascot did get a few people riled up with his minimal clothing and large...headdress. eh-hem.

focus.

Needless to say, Aztec games (in the stands) weren't much more for me than a glorified High School game in a big boy stadium (disclaimer--I'm certain that my awesome AT friends out there had a different experience on the field). In grad school, I don't even think U of R HAD a football team...the fact that I don't even know tells you a lot about the uh...sports program there.

Fast forward to 2005 when Dave started working with the Oregon Duck Football Team. A-mazing. I really don't even know where to begin so I'll just cut to the chase. I wish I went to U of O. I'm a poser, a wanna-be, and I don't even care. College would have taken on a whole new meaning. The campus is gorgeous and the little town of Eugene, OR lives, eats, and breathes Oregon Duck Football. At first I was like, "what? I don't get it. What's the big deal?" I did not believe the hype. I even scoffed at the color-combo...I mean green and yellow? really?

Really.

I got to see it all first hand at my first game, and I've been hooked ever since. It was so loud. Everyone was pumped. Autzen stadium was a sea of green and yellow and I beamed with poser-pride wearing my green and yellow to fit right in with the rest. Everything from tailgating, to the marching band, to the crazy student section, to the never-ending number of uniform combos for the players, to the Duck mascot (who is way better than our buff Aztec down south btw)...this is something to experience.

I never really knew what I was missing out on until that day. It was extra cool for me because Dave worked for the team so I felt even more connected to the experience. I became a duck fan overnight and was instantly envious of Dave and all his friends/classmates for their college experience...and I wanted a do-over for mine.

Fast forward to current day...The ducks have had some exciting times since I've become a fan (5 bowl games in 5 years, including the Rose Bowl). Dave and I faithfully watch and keep track of Oregon alumni that have moved on to the pros (like Dennis Dixon, Haloti Ngata, and Jonathan Stewart to name a few). We anxiously anticipate football season (Dave-for many reasons, me-to watch the Ducks and the Chargers). I order the duck spirit tee every year right when it's released so we are sure to have them for the first non-conference game (although this years' design was kinda lame so I passed). I proudly wear an O on my back window of my car. My re-usable grocery bags are Green and Yellow Oregon bags and I'd honestly be okay if Mason says "Go Ducks" before he says "Mama" or "Dada".

So the 2010 season has begun and "we" are the only PAC10 team ranked in the top 10...representin' at #5. BAM!

I don't care where I actually went for undergrad or grad school. It took one Football game and my heart is with University of Oregon Football. I can only imagine how students who go/went there feel...lucky ducks.


Believe the hype...it's as awesome as it looks: