The other night, one of my roommates and I were saying what a good time it is to be a sports fan and student at the University. This got me thinking about some of the incredible things I’ve been witness to over the past year and how it could easily be on the rise for an even brighter future. So here is the list of my top UO sports memories from 2009, and what I’m looking forward to in the years to come.
1. Oregon beats Oregon State for the Rose Bowl
Behind the legs of redshirt freshman LaMichael James, the No. 7 Oregon Ducks defeated the No. 13 Oregon State Beavers in the 113th Civil War matchup. The win completed Oregon’s comeback from its abysmal Sept. 3 loss to Boise State and bought its ticket to Pasadena, Calif., for the first time since the 1994 season.

What I’m looking forward to: The Ducks graduate only one starter on offense — TE Ed Dickson — and three starters on defense — DE Will Tukuafu, DT Blake Ferras, and FS T.J. Ward — and could very well have an even better year in 2010.
2. Oregon baseball returns
For the first time since 1982, Oregon featured a D-1 baseball team and landed the well-respected George Horton as its head coach. The Ducks had a relatively shaky first year as they finished the season with a 14-42 record overall. With several underclassmen getting invaluable playing time, the Ducks could eventually have a program to be reckoned with.
What I’m looking forward to: The completion of construction on PK Park, which will hold roughly 5,000 people and will also be the new home stadium for the Eugene Emeralds minor league team.
3. Men’s and women’s track & field teams finish second at NCAAs
The Duck men and women combined to produce six individual national champions, including one of Oregon’s most decorated athletes of all time in Galen Rupp who won both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

What I’m looking forward to: Oregon will return the majority of its team for both the men and the women, despite losing Rupp and Yurkovich, and will play host to the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 9 to June 12.
4. Men’s basketball reloads
After losing Malik Hairston, Bryce Taylor, and Maarty Leunen in 2008, head coach Ernie Kent restocked his lineup with a dangerously talented class for the 2009 season. Freshmen Garrett Sim, Drew Wiley, Teondre Williams, Josh Crittle, Matt Humphrey and Michael Dunigan all signed with the Ducks, and it appeared that a new backbone was put in place for years to come. The Ducks struggled in their first season together as they finished the year 8-23. But the physical growth and maturity of the class has been apparent early on this season, and the addition of a few key contributors could have the Ducks in the mix of things come Pac-10 play.

What I’m looking forward to: The Ducks will be making their move into the brand new Matthew Knight Arena during the 2011 Pac-10 season and will bid farewell to the historic McArthur Court, which is the second-oldest on-campus arena in the U.S. still in use after holding its first game on Jan. 14, 1927.
[email protected]