Go DUCKS!

I'm still sick today but couldn't let the day pass without giving a shout out to my DUCKS.  I live in Eugene, OR, the home of the University of Oregon Ducks.  I went to my first Duck football game in 1972.  I remember walking into the stadium and asking my friend, "where do we sit?"  He replied. "Anywhere you want to."  Never happen today.


I knew very little about football in those days.  I didn't know a punt from a kick-off.  But I do remember my friend saying many times, "They're going to have to boot it."  I now know he was referring to the fact that the Ducks were fourth and long AGAIN and would have to punt the ball. 


Well things have changed quite a bit since those lean and hungry years.  It's a mad scramble to get a ticket for a Duck football game now, and Coach Chip Kelly is just as liable to go for it on fourth as to "boot it."  We had season tickets for several years and spent many hours enjoying the Ducks in Autzen Stadium.


A few years ago we looked at our finances and what we were donating to the University just for the privilege of attending 4-6 home games a year, and decided it was time to move on.  Not only was it getting increasingly hard for Russ to make it up the ramp to our seats, we figured for the money we spent on donations and tickets, we could do a lot of travel. 


But we still love our Ducks and we watch them on TV whenever possible.  Today it IS possible and that is exactly what we will be doing.  My voice is GONE so I cannot yell for the Ducks today but I will be cheering them on in my heart.  I am so proud of the players and the coaches and no matter what happens today, I LOVE MY DUCKS.  GO DUCKS!


And so indulge me if you would (or just skip the rest!) as I share some of my favorite Duck Moments.



Me with "Ducky" at some function or other.  Ducky's official name is Puddles the Duck
but no one ever calls him that.  He is just "Ducky".



Son John, and his daughter Bekah, at Autzen Stadium.  They are now devoted
Duck fans even though they live in Portland.

John being silly after the game.  Someone walked by as I was
taking this picture and said to John, "I guess you lost the bet."

Russ and Donna at a donor brunch prior to a game.  We always enjoyed those brunches
but it ended up being a lot of work.  My sister and I volunteered to decorate and serve as
greeters for every brunch so we always had a LOOOONG day.  Fun though!

Our beloved Autzen Stadium.  There is no better place for football.

I always got chills when we sang the National Anthem and they rolled out the flag.

Two of my grandsons, Tim and Mike at the Casanova Center.  This building houses
the training center, meeting rooms, sports offices, and a "Hall of Fame' display of Duck trophies.

This is how the team enters Autzen.  First the Duck roars out on the
back of the Duck motorcycle, and the team runs out behind.  The motorcycle
 goes once around the field and by then the crowd is PUMPED!

This is Doug (the ONLY motorcycle driver) and my granddaughter, Bekah.  Bekah got too close
to the exhaust pipe during a photo op and got a bad burn on her leg.  Doug was so kind to
bring the motorcycle to my house the next day so Bekah could get her photo taken.  Normally
that motorcycle goes NOWHERE except to Duck functions.  This was quite special for
Bekah... and her burn healed quite nicely.

We don't always have perfect weather in Autzen Stadium.  During the
"Civil War" on November 5, 2005, the fog rolled in until even the
announcers had trouble seeing the plays.  It was still fun and the
Ducks won that game 56-14. 

I've only been to one bowl game and that was the Holiday Bowl in December 2005.
This is my sister, Laila, and her husband, Brian, being silly in the Black Bear Diner
in Shasta, California.  We drove all the way and had a great time.  Fun Memories!

Russ and Donna in San Diego for the 2005 Holiday Bowl.
We lost that game but we had so much fun.

And so today, my sister and her husband are in Glendale, AZ getting ready to watch the Oregon Ducks take on the Auburn Tigers.  We are here in Eugene, OR where we will be rooting for our Ducks.  Maybe when that motor home gets done we will travel to some of the games.  I don't know who will win today, but I think it will be a good game.  Whatever happens, I am proud of my Ducks.  Back in the 1970s, we NEVER would have dreamed this day would come.  GO DUCKS!

Update 9:50 p.m.  We didn't win but it was certainly a great game.  When a game comes down to the last two seconds, you know the teams are evenly matched.  Congratulations to the Auburn Tigers for winning the National Championship.  And congratulations to the Oregon Ducks for making it to the title game and for giving it your best.  Next year awaits...