Matt Hogan is all Eugene. He grew up here and is now wound in the fabric of what makes the city so special. He sells commercial real estate full-time, but it’s his Saturday shift that stands out. 

Hogan is now the lone driver of the Oregon Duck mascot out onto the field before every home game. He’s just one of four people to have ever done the gig, having taken the full-time responsibility at the start of the season. 

Hogan had been an Oregon fan his whole life, but when he received a call asking him to be a part-time motorcycle driver for the school, his gameday experience changed forever. 

Hogan lacks calm days. His two kids (eight-and nine-year-olds), a part-time cowboying gig and the occasional auctioneering job keep him busy.

Along with his unique lifestyle, Hogan’s Saturday job with the Ducks has become a fan-favorite event. 

He got the gig by simply knowing people, creating connections with head coaches and Oregon boosters. At the start of every gameday, Hogan has the same routine. First, he takes the bike to the same spots to see friends and pose with fans for pictures. Then he heads inside to a scene that is never, ever the same. 

There’s always something new. That’s not just Hogan’s work day, it’s Oregon’s identity as a whole. 

“There’s always something different happening from game to game,” Hogan said. “The university does a great job of changing things up and keeping it fresh.”

As Hogan said, the Ducks have an inalienable sentiment of innovation.

The 2024 season has been special. The Ducks, in all likelihood, will complete an undefeated regular season with a win over Washington, and will be playing on Dec. 7 for the Big Ten Championship. 

Hogan taking the field sets the stage for Dillon Gabriel’s Heisman-caliber heroics, Dan Lanning’s unique nature of leading a team, and of course, memories that will last Eugene natives a lifetime. 

“I don’t go around boasting about it, but it’s not a secret,” Hogan said of his game-day occupation. “It’s a fun time for sure.” 

Like the Ducks this season, he’s never fallen. But like any team (or rider) he’s definitely “slipped around a few times.” 

The last time Hogan drove The Duck out, Oregon played poorly and still won by three scores in a conference game. This season is different for everyone. 

It’s been unique, not unlike Hogan himself.

The cowboying isn’t as much of a factor in his motorcycle-riding prowess, but he did grow up on a dirt bike which he says helps with the “flow” of the bike. The back wheel of the bike never stops spinning when he’s on the field, which makes it difficult to navigate at times when he’s going up to 40 MPH. 

The motorcycle — which is a ‘96 Harley Davidson Fat Boy —  was bought by Nike, painted, and given to the University of Oregon in 1999 with one intention — “here’s some marketing tools, go do something with them,” Hogan said. 

And now Hogan does. Riding The Duck out before every game has become iconic both in the state and nationally, with the routine appearing in the College Football 25 video game. 

Before the season, Hogan goes through a few test runs with the new mascots and cheer team, although he admits it’s a little different doing it in an empty stadium than a packed gameday. 

The day of the Maryland game, he had to wade through a 100-person human tunnel — made mostly of in-game honorees — to get onto the field. On other days, the weather is a factor.

“Driving a heavy-duty Harley Fat Boy at 40 mph can definitely be spooky at times,” Hogan said. 

But he’s never taken it for granted. An hour before the game, he’s in the west tunnel of the field, checking his surroundings and getting ready for the game. Then, when the team goes into the locker room before the game, he heads there with it. 

As a man of faith, he says a prayer in the locker room before every game. Fifteen minutes or so later, he’s doing what he loves — leading the team out with a stadium full of fans cheering with glee. 

“If people ask what it’s like to ride in front of 60,000 people, I say, ‘honestly I don’t know’ because when I get down there, I’m focused on one person that starts me and looking ahead to see what my field looks like,” Hogan said.  “That’s all I ever look for. It sounds pretty good though.” 

And for a kid that grew up coming to games and has now become an integral part of the gameday experience, just hearing the fans will have to do.