When Oregon beat Stanford on Saturday and broke finally and emphatically into the win column in conference play, the Pit Crew, along with some other students and fans, decided to storm the court to celebrate with the team.
(Well, “decided” might not be the word for the kind of collective ecstasy that compels students to rush the court, so let’s just say they were compelled to do so.)
This has sparked debate on a few local – and some national – sports talk shows and blogs about what actually defines an appropriate reason to storm the court.
Most say that Ducks fans were wrong. Some even said Ducks fans should be embarrassed.
Freshman guard Matt Humphrey’s post-game quip, “It was like we won the National Championship,” has appeared in just about every print story and blog, and it was true for the most part. I’ve been coming to Mac Court for years, including the last two full seasons of covering every home game, and can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever had a feeling like I had Saturday.
Has it been as loud or louder? Sure. Has it played as big a part in previous wins? Undoubtedly.
But this set of circumstances, and the inspiring persistence of the young men that these students have been coming out and cheering on through eight grueling weeks, are unique. So was the euphoria of the moment.
Just in case you didn’t know: I’m not only a Duck but the son of a Duck. I hold the letterman’s jacket my father wore around campus in the mid-80s as one of my most treasured possessions.
Like me, he returned to school to change careers after already starting a family. Some of my youngest memories are of tagging along to campus with my dad when our family, school and work schedule made it necessary. My son Charlie will have some of the same memories from his trips to campus and he already wants to be a Duck.
All this is just to say that I bleed green and yellow as much as anyone – but I’m also a journalist. I take my job seriously and (ask any coach, player, or fellow reporter on the beats I cover) I conduct myself as a professional, not a fan.
And this usually isn’t even an issue for me. Some student reporters agonize over the conundrum; I take pride in effectively separating my job as a reporter from my personal feelings. I won’t be on this beat forever and my chance to root for my alma mater will come. I’m building a career here, see?
But Saturday was the first time since I’ve been here that I had to consciously stifle myself on press row. Like many of you, I’ve been at every home game this season. Unlike you, I’ve also had to sit down and interview these players and coaches after the losses, write it up for the morning paper and then come to practices during the week for updates. Trust me, when a team is losing, reporters feel the weight like anybody else involved, hence the utility of being able to separate professional from personal. It helps.
On Saturday that blurred for me for a moment, as the euphoria you court-rushers displayed swept over me. I hope none of my fellow reporters noticed the smile I wore as you rushed the court. It was quickly stifled with a cough into my sleeve and replaced with my customary indifference.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you were wrong to storm the court. The act is manifested by a collectively felt emotion, not a reasoned decision, and those who would criticize from outside and after the event can’t begin to understand.
[email protected]
It’s okay to celebrate
Daily Emerald
February 23, 2009
More to Discover