“Quick Quacks” is the newest Emerald feature, a spontaneous Q&A session aimed at giving readers an expedient look at campus and community members’ thoughts. “Quick Quacks” will run every Friday this spring. Please send suggestions regarding possible interviewees to [email protected].
Kathy Arendsen sits down for our questions this week. Arendsen is the Oregon softball team’s head coach and has led the Ducks back to glory. Oregon is ranked 14th in one national poll this week and made the NCAA Tournament last year, coming within one win of the College World Series.
Emerald: Why should students go to softball games?
Kathy Arendsen: Fast-paced action. The game’s always got something going on in it. And being outside in the beautiful weather, just getting to be outside.
Emerald: If you could choose a pro baseball player to join the Ducks, who would it be?
KA: Current? Nolan Ryan was always my favorite player because I was a pitcher. I like Derek Jeter because he’s cute; of course, that’s not a good enough reason. Let me figure out which one I like the best … probably Derek Jeter because he’s committed to winning. He’ll do anything within the rules to win. The way he bases his personal success is on whether his team is winning. I’m not sure there’s many players like him who are so gifted, so talented and willing to give up personal glory just to win. I admire that tremendously.
Emerald: Who’s tougher, No. 1 Arizona or No. 2 UCLA?
KA: Traditionally, UCLA because of the tremendous tradition they have. I would say this year Arizona because of their speed factor. I would say Arizona, but neither of them are easy. There’s no simple thing there.
Emerald: Who’s your favorite coach in the Athletic Department?
KA: Oh, that’s mean! That’s a hard one. Golly, oh boy, oh boy. Probably Bev Smith, because I admire how she dealt with things as she came into Oregon. Her decision about Shaq Williams, although I don’t know the circumstances, I have nothing but admiration. I could have easily substituted Ernie Kent, Nils Schyllander, Chuck Kearney, Mike Bellotti, so on and so forth, because I consider all of the coaches great.
Emerald: What’s your favorite sport other than softball?
KA: To watch on television, football. To play, golf.
Emerald: If you could choose one to be on your team, would you choose (recently-graduated) Andrea Vidlund or you, back in your playing days?
KA: Two different players! Me, because I totally know how much I love to play. With Viddy, I was spoiled to have her for a year. She can hit and I can’t.
Emerald: What do you like most about Eugene?
KA: I like the atmosphere. I like the kind of people who are here. I love the diversity, I love the humor, I like how passionate people are. The natural beauty goes without saying, but the atmosphere I just love.
Emerald: What do you think about the decision to postpone the new basketball arena?
KA: Disappointing. Really disappointing. That arena benefits all of us, every Duck fan, every athlete, every student. Obviously, it had some ramifications for us as far as Howe Field. Ultimately, if we stay at Howe Field I’m a very happy person, but the arena desperately needs renovation here, and this team deserves to have an Oregon-type facility to play in. Really, we’re about the only one that doesn’t have that.
Emerald: Other than its current site, what would be the best place near campus for a new Howe Field?
KA: Probably out by Autzen somewhere so that we’re by the (Moshofsky) Center if we have to be indoors. I love either being in the center of campus or at least in the same area as other Oregon facilities. I wouldn’t want to be stranded somewhere else in the city, by ourselves. If we ever brought baseball back and they wanted to do a baseball-softball area, I’d be into that. If the new arena goes somewhere else and they want to put softball with that, I’m fine. But if it’s not Howe Field, and that would be my first choice, it would be please put us by football and other practice facilities.
Emerald: Finally, where can we find Kathy Arendsen on a Friday night?
KA: Hmm. The Vet’s Club, at least once a month. Having some dinner, listening to music and maybe even playing a little pool.