Oregon fans know of the “Tall Firs”—winners of the 1939 NCAA National Basketball Championship—by famous players like Admiral John Dick and Tall Firs coach Howard “Hobby” Hobson. Yet few realize that coach Hobson also coached the University’s baseball team, achieving nearly the same level of success that he did with his basketball program. The Oregon Ducks experienced a golden age in baseball from the …
A lot will be written about the Tall Firs of 1939 this week. Years ago, I interviewed guard John Dick who started on that squad. Dick, who grew up in The Dalles, went on to become an Admiral in the Navy and later retired in Eugene, where he lived until his death in 2011. Oregon’s ride back to the Final …
Oregon Head Coach Dana Altman earned his second John Wooden Pac-12 Coach of the Year award on Monday, after his Ducks finished the season 23-8 (13-5). The Quack Attack won eight of its last nine to help Altman wrap up his 18th consecutive winning campaign. That accomplishment puts him in the company of basketball royalty; Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boheim, Bill Self, Tom Izzo and Stew …
What were a person’s entertainment choices in Eugene on a Tuesday night in February, 1943? It was the height of World War II and choices were limited. You could go dining and dancing at The Holland, go ice skating, or catch a double feature at one of the area theaters. There was one other option on February 1st. You could …