Oregon head coach Jody Runge has made quite a name for herself.
Everywhere I go, people ask me: “Is Runge really getting fired?” “Do her players really not like her?” “What’s wrong with tough love?” And the final question: “What do you think?”
What do I think? Where to start?
I think there’s an unfortunate situation throughout the state of Oregon, but probably not for the reasons that you think.
It’s hard for me to explain the problem surrounding Oregon women’s basketball, but I’ll try. Here it goes:
The Ducks have four memorable seniors.

Most well known is center Jenny Mowe, who jumped to the Division I ranks from the tiny town of Powers. There’s forward Brianne Meharry, the high school all-American powerhouse from Oregon City. Who doesn’t know about Angelina Wolvert, the Ducks’ leading scorer? And there’s forward Lindsey Dion, who never lets an injury get between her and a game.
If you are a student reader, then you probably knew all that before I told you. You may also know about Camber Ellingson, Oregon’s fifth senior who usually sits on the bench. You also may know about Fred Litzenberger, the Duck assistant coach whose life purpose is to analyze all opponents to the slightest detail.
Heck, you probably know a lot about Runge. You know how many games she’s won and lost, and that she’s been to seven straight (now eight) NCAA Tournaments.
Of course, you know all about the recent coaching controversy. You know that eight players met with Athletic Director Bill Moos and asked that Runge be fired.
That’s the problem that faces the Oregon women’s basketball team: That you — and you excludes the 5,000-or-so loyal fans who watched more than one home game this season — only care about the Runge situation.
And there’s a certain segment of the “you” population that I’m talking to right now.
The problem is present at every home game, when you give the crowd a quick once-over and begin to pay attention to who the fans are.
You can also hear the problem. McArthur Court gets loud during women’s basketball games. Even last season’s first-round NCAA Tournament game between Mississippi State and St. Peter’s was loud. The Ducks weren’t even playing.
When the Ducks do play, The Pit rocks — but after awhile, you notice it’s all the same people who are making the noise. Sometimes it’s the guy sitting in the front row, southwest corner, kicking the metal bleacher; sometimes it’s the woman near the top of the floor-level seating, amplifying her voice through a cone and clapping a pair of yellow flippers together.
You look around through the crowd, and there are hardly any students to be seen. There’s no “Pit Crew,” although judging by the noise, you’d think there would be.
So if you’re reading this column, you probably don’t know what I’m talking about, do you?
Because chances are, if you’re a student, you’ve never been to an Oregon women’s basketball game — just like most other people in the state.
I feel sorry for anyone who never saw Oregon’s senior players in action. I feel even more sorry for anyone who never saw them play, but could have, if only they would have taken their student ID cards to Mac Court on a Thursday or Saturday night.
Seriously, you missed out.
Reading about Dion getting injured is one thing. Seeing her cringe in agony as she tries to keep up with healthy opponents, despite a severe ankle sprain, is flat-out inspiring.
Watching sophomore point guard Alissa Edwards break a full-court press is remarkable, considering that she only played scattered minutes last season behind Shaquala Williams, Karen Piers and Kourtney Shreve.
There’s Meharry’s undying energy and Wolvert’s volatile attitude, which is evident every time Runge sends her to the bench.
But you like sports with storylines, don’t you? And after such a disappointing season, why follow this team?
Try this on for size: A team that seems bound for the Big Dance — perhaps even the Final Four — loses its star player before the season. The women regroup, though, and early into the Pac-10 season seem poised for a third straight title. But then the team suffers key injuries, and all seems to spin out of control. But right when games become do-or-die scenarios, Oregon starts winning again — and goes to the tournament.
The story’s not over yet. Of all the Pac-10 teams, the Ducks have the best chance of advancing to the Sweet 16 because of their draw in the bracket. With the way they’ve been playing lately, such a feat shouldn’t seem surprising.
But you probably didn’t know that. You think this is a team in turmoil, ripping at the seams because of Runge’s situation. You may be half right — there’s no way Oregon can benefit from what’s going on right now.
However, in yet another incredible season for Oregon women’s basketball, it’s unfortunate that only about 5,000 mostly non-student fans can really understand the scope of this season.
Not to say that the Runge thing isn’t intriguing, because it is. Drama is an important part of sports, but it’s only a part of it.
Sports also has winners and losers, heartbreak and celebration. Sports can help people find meaning in life. Sports brings people together behind a common purpose. Sports can provide children with excellent role models. Like a storybook, sports often has heroes and villains. Sometimes, sports teams have storybook endings.
The Ducks have all but the latter, and a third-round game would serve that purpose.
It’s unfortunate you haven’t been watching.