Oregon fans know how to bring the noise and energy to sporting events and there is no questioning the passion of the student body when it comes to supporting their Ducks.
But in today’s day and age rooting against the opponent is just as prevalent as cheering for your own team, and Duck fans have taken this aspect of fandom to the next level.
At the Arizona State football game this past weekend, a student had a sign reading “ASU thinks herpes is a Greek god.” That kind of witty humor has a place in college athletics — it is part of what makes the atmosphere entertaining.
But at what point do Oregon fans draw the line?
When it comes to football, Duck fans contribute to an unmatched competitive atmosphere which has helped earn Autzen Stadium the title of most intimidating place to play outside of the SEC.
But recently, due to the speed of the Duck offense, whenever an opposing player falls to the turf with an injury, Oregon fans assume he is faking to allow his team to rest. So Duck fans boo relentlessly, even in the cases where the player may be seriously injured.
That is embarrassingly unsportsmanlike and has no place on an athletic stage as much in the spotlight as Oregon’s. If teams need to fake injuries to slow down the Ducks, let Chip Kelly worry about it.
If a player is on the turf wondering if his playing career might be over, fans have no right to make that experience worse than it already is for the player and his family. Unless there is clear evidence on the big screen that they are faking (which has happened obviously), Duck fans should remain reserved until the player gets up, then applaud as he goes off the field.
The issues carry over to the basketball arena as well.
In an enclosed space such as Matt Knight Arena the cheers from the student section are easily understood by the rest of the crowd.
Basketball and volleyball games should be good family environments. But recently, at the Oregon vs. California volleyball game, which hosted a record crowd for volleyball, several parents had to cover their children’s ears because they knew the next chant from the students was going to be “we’re going to beat the shit out of you.” Not only is that unnecessary, it’s unimaginative compared to some of the other great chants the students have come up with and doesn’t really serve a purpose.
The Pit Crew at basketball games has been particularly ruthless in the past.
When Oregon native Kevin Love played his only game at MacArthur Court as a member of the UCLA Bruins, Duck fans harassed him the whole game. That part is understandable and reasonably warranted, but to yell at his grandmother as well may have been a bit much.
Two years ago, Washington State forward DeAngelo Casto was the next victim. The student section had gotten wind of a rumor that he had impregnated his adoptive foster sister. Needless to say, the students ran with that information until the referees had to stop the game to tell them to stop.
The students then responded with a chant of “we are classy.” Ron Burgundy would be ashamed of that definition of classy.
With Oregon athletics growing at a rapid pace, the students can either help or hurt the increased attention the Ducks are getting on a national scale.
The University is trying to pull in students from all over the country and in many cases high school students and athletes will get their first exposure to Oregon by watching a sporting event on TV.
Thus far, Duck fans and the athletic atmosphere have been a huge tool used in recruiting these students and all indications are that it will continue to be.
But if the demeanor of fans continues to worsen, it could prove to be a black eye on the face of Oregon athletics and the University as a whole. The image of our athletic programs has been on the hot seat as it is.
Duck fans may be the greatest in the country at supporting their team and that fact makes the experience of an Oregon game memorable for everyone.
Other than throwing the occasional joke in the direction of Husky fans (okay maybe a lot of jokes), Oregon fans should keep it classy and fun. Duck fans don’t need to call every Oregon State player fat and stupid to lose their voices at a football game.
Who knows, maybe positive cheers would make Autzen and Matt Knight even louder?