Mighty Oregon

Yesterday the University of Oregon (my alma mater) Ducks won a berth to the BCS National Championship. I'm always proud to be a duck, but my feathers are especially puffed out today. Last year this seemed impossible. After a season marred with behavior issues, a post-season full of legal issues and the loss of Jeremiah Masoli as quarterback things didn't look good for 2010. In August I had a conversation with some southern football fans in which they expressed that Oregon didn't have a chance since we'd just lost our QB to the SEC.

I defended our team, because being a duck isn't about rankings, high profile boosters, or even how many uniform options you have. It's about the feeling in the air as you walk across the footbridge to Autzen Stadium on game day, a feeling that can only be equated to an adult's version of Christmas morning. It's about being on the other side of the country and seeing someone wearing the "O" and shaking hands. It's about supporting the PAC-10 as we consistently try to shed our underdog status. And it's about building an empire.

The state of Oregon has 1/10 the population of California. We have a small number of universities. Our economy has struggled, even when the country has experienced prosperity. I'm glad to see our great state be in the news for being among the best of the best at something. I believe Chip Kelly has kept the heads of our players on straight this season. As we rose in the rankings and continued to be undefeated he reminded them that can all change overnight. So thank you to Coach Kelly, to all the players and to Mike Bellotti who laid the groundwork. You've given us so many reasons to be proud to be ducks this year. The road has been paved for future teams, now it's time to build.