University senior Nate Wilson knows why everyone should attend at least one Duck football game during college.
“The crowd noise and spirit is unparalleled in the Pac-10,” he said. “Everyone should attend games — even if they aren’t huge sports fans — simply for the experience.”
The University’s enthusiasm is apparent when Autzen Stadium, an arena capable of holding 54,000 people, can generate as much crowd noise as stadiums twice its size.
The student section at Autzen is often one big party — a celebration that continues through the late hours of the night after a victory. Tailgaters can be found in abundance outside Autzen and may “bring back college memories for every alumnus,” said recent University alumna Lindsay McNamara.
“The experience I had as a Duck student will definitely carry over through the rest of my life,” McNamara said.
Senior Brian Landon is an example of the enthusiasm Oregonians can have for their college teams. He recalls growing up in Scappoose and Hillsboro, and “rooting for the quack attack.”
Basketball has similar intensity in the confines of McArthur Court. “The Pit” can generate so much noise that houses three blocks away can hear the game in what may seem like surround sound. Several times, Mac Court has rocked so hard during opposing team’s free-throws that men’s basketball head coach Ernie Kent has had to silence the crowd via microphone.
“At basketball games, I am given the whole seat, but I only need the edge,” Landon said.
With recent basketball history including players A.D. Smith, Alex Scales, Darius Wright, Freddie Jones and Luke Ridnour, many students, including senior Casey Kovacic, believe that “the Ducks are on the rise.” Plans for a new court and the recent commitments of current high school seniors Chamberlain Oguchi and Marty Leunen may show that the basketball program is heading nowhere but up.
The softball team’s recent success has generated new interest and attendance at Howe Field.
McNamara said it is victories more than anything else that breed attendance at sporting events and catch the attention of the students.
“Wins are always nice for the soul,” she said.
Club Sports give Duck fans another chance to get involved with campus athletics. But fan attendance at Club Sports is often low, and many of the committed athletes involved would love to see more fans at the events.
Senior Chris Gaffney, captain of the men’s lacrosse team, said more fans would be a welcome addition to games. He added that fans are capable of “making it a hostile environment for the other team.”
Senior Nate Wilson, a member of the men’s rugby team, also encourages everyone to “come see the talent we have out here.
“(Rugby) is damn entertaining,”
he said.
Kovacic said there are other ways for students to show their spirit.
“We can be better students of the game and know who is winning and losing in our UO community,” he said. “The more sports knowledge the better.”