Autzen Stadium Expansion: Challenges and Benefits

Jack Heffernan FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

What would you think if Autzen Stadium, already known for being loud, expanded and became a cradle for eardrum-splitting noise? Silly question. You’re a Northwest sports fan, which, by default, means you are always seeking acknowledgement as the most raucous fan base in the country. Just spend five minutes witnessing a game at the Rose Garden (Moda Center) or CenturyLink …

Chip Kelly Update: Sports Science or Sports Voodoo?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mandatory mini-camp is in session for three days of open-to-the-press practices, and there’s a sudden flood of information in the blogs and newspapers. It’s not really any different than the last three weeks of OTAs (organized team activities), though. “Mandatory” doesn’t mean much, for one thing, since the Eagles had 100% turnout at the voluntary OTAs. Safety Ed Reynolds was …

Shout Out to Nike: Why Oregon Football Uniforms Are So Quacky

Kerry Merrill FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Duck fans are sucked into team fervor for several reasons. First off, it’s the Ducks’ incredible talent — but it’s also their outrageous uniforms. Throughout University of Oregon football history, the Ducks’ uniforms have progressed from basic green and yellow school colors to intense neon green and lightning yellow. Not many other teams can quite say they have the same flare …

Deep In the Woods: 5 Reasons Oregon’s MATT Is the King of Courts

Kerry Merrill Honoring Phil Knight

1. Have You Seen the Court Design?! As we all know, U of O’s Kilkenny Floor in Matthew Knight Arena has the number one most crazy, outlandish court in the country.  Just as with nearly every other aspect of Oregon athletics, they went big on the design. At first glance, one might question just why the court has the design …

Phil Knight a Lucky Charm? Ducks Get the W

Dean Davis FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  EUGENE, Ore. – The Ducks took on the USC Trojans Saturday night, desperately looking for a win.  With Phil Knight in attendance — and enjoying being the honoree on “Appreciation Knight” with his Duck family – Oregon HAD to come out and put up or shut up.  That’s exactly what they did – put up, that is — as the Ducks came out …

Luxury? Pshaaaaw!!

Steven Wright Honoring Phil Knight

I had the opportunity of a Duck lifetime last Monday: I was able to tour the University of Oregon Ducks’ new Football Performance Center.  And in about two and one-half hours of looking, snooping and talking with those who seemed to know, came away with two impressions. First, there was made a supreme effort in conceiving, designing and building a …

Social Media and Gleaming Facilities Drive Oregon Recruiting

Luc Hancock FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Seven Wonders of the World – The Pyramids, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympus – were built with grandeur in mind.  Move over Zeus, Phil Knight, Nike magnate and Oregon philanthropist, also thinks big.  His latest wonder is a 100,000 square-foot temple to football, a $68-million dollar edifice intended to take Duck football to …

Oregon’s Uncle Phil

FishDuck Staff Honoring Phil Knight

Everyone knows the name and the face, but few people know the man. Phillip Knight is the force that most view as being behind Oregon’s rise to national prominence.  His countless efforts have put the isolated college town of Eugene, Oregon, on the map and has helped to bring in top recruits to play in a place not traditionally known as a college football powerhourse. Knight’s name …

Oregon Unknowns: Phil Knight Didn’t Help the Ducks…

Josh White Honoring Phil Knight

A new Friday series are the OREGON UNKNOWNS, where we look at interesting aspects about our beloved Ducks that few fans know about. Some are amusing facts or stories from the inside, while others are the humorous incidents that we fans rarely hear about. Oregon Football did, in fact, exist prior to repeated generous donations by Phil and Penny Knight.  …

All Forward in The ‘Age of the O’

FishDuck Staff FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

A new Oregon anthem — “O Time” — was released this week by hip-hop artist Xile of Portland. The accompanying music video is catchy, sprinkled with guest appearances by former UO gridiron greats like Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon, and of images that capture the momentum that is Duck football today. Innovative. Trendy. Successful. Just in time for the opener …