Believe it or not , the 1999-2000 sports season has come to an end. But boy, it a season to remember.
The Emerald sports staff have decided to hand out our first annual “Emerald Emmies.” I know, weak name, but hey, it’s the best our creative department could come up with on short notice.
The Emmies (not to be confused with the Emmys) are designed to recognize athletes and coaches we deal with day-in-and-day-out in order to bring readers the best sports coverage possible.
So without further ado, let us dish out the oh-so-prestigious awards…
Most Entertaining Male Athlete: No player excited the fans, players, and even opposing teams as Mr. Alex Scales did. The senior who is deservedly referred to as “The Skywalker” repeatedly brought down the house with his one-of-a-kind jams. Best of luck to you in the NBA Draft, Alex.
Most Entertaining Female Athlete: Not many of you ventured out to Papé Field this past fall for women’s soccer games, but those of you who did certainly remember the lightning quick Chalise Baysa. The fancy sophomore forward started every game and led the team in goals (eight) and points (18). She may stand only 5 feet, 2 inches, but the size of her heart is immeasurable.
Best Weekend: Few will ever forget the weekend of March 2-4. It started off with an astonishing game that was dubbed the “Miracle at Mac” by columnist Ron Bellamy. Down by four with six seconds left, things looked bleak for the Oregon Ducks against Arizona State. But then Scales drained a three. The Sun Devils turned it over. And Darius Wright hit the shot at the buzzer to secure Oregon with the 76-74 win and its first 20-win season since 1945.
Two days later, the magic continued as the women and men both rallied from 22 and 17 points respectively against higher ranked Arizona teams to solidify the weekend as one of the most significant and thrilling weekends in Oregon basketball history.
Best Game: It took four hours to complete and some of the 45,660 fans packed in Autzen Stadium actually left before it was over. Those who stayed were rewarded with a classic 33-30 triple-overtime triumph over the USC Trojans. Nobody could have predicted that the winning field goal was going to be booted by a senior walk-on named Josh Frankel, who became the hero after starting kicker Nathan Villegas injured himself while celebrating an earlier field goal.
Best Coach: This one was unanimous. Men’s tennis coach Chris Russell is the first Oregon coach in school history to receive the honor and has placed the Ducks on the national map.
Best Athlete Nobody Knows About, But Should: You’d think winning consecutive Pac-10 Championships and becoming an All-American would get you noticed. But few people would recognize Oregon wrestler Doug Lee. Lee finished fourth at the NCAA Championships and is coming back next season.
Biggest Disappointment: Our intentions here are to hopefully light a fire so a certain individual can get back to the form we know he’s capable of. Oregon football’s sophomore tailback Herman Ho-Ching is taking classes at Lane while trying to regain his academic eligibility. If he doesn’t get his act together soon, he will be quickly forgotten. Especially with junior college sensation Maurice Morris expected in the fall.
Best Hairstyle: Gotta give it to Oregon basketball forward Bryan Bracey. With that sleek braided hair combined with his stylish goatee and thin-as-can-be sideburns, Bracey is always in vogue. But you may surprised to see him without the braids. Underneath such style is a fro that even Dr. J would be impressed with.
Best Interviewee: The first time our own Matt O’Neill (who, sadly, is graduating), went up to interview Oregon softball slugger Jill Robinson, she surprised him with some blunt honesty. “Matt, my sports bra’s too tight.”
Worst Interviewee: Grumpy old Lute Olson gets this distinguished honor. Olson was at his best on March 4 at McArthur Court after his team’s crushing defeat. During the game Arizona forward Richard Jefferson pushed a fan and was called for a technical foul. Olson couldn’t believe that his player got a technical foul after the fan, who had grabbed the player’s jersey, provoked the shove.
What Olson really couldn’t believe was that some fresh-faced student reporter had the nerve to ask if he condoned his players’ actions. In front of a throng of media Olson went off on a random tangent and then checked the reporter’s credentials to see the words: Oregon Daily Emerald.
“So you work for the student newspaper?,” Olson asked. “Good. Glad you’re not really working.”
The exchange was used in numerous stories in newspapers throughout the week, including the Arizona Republic and The Oregonian. A recording was also heard on Arizona sports radio stations who jump at any chance to rip on ol’ Lute.
Top Newcomer: Freshman Mary Etter has some work cut out for her if she wants to top this spring. The top freshman in the nation recently earned All-American honors in the discus and was the Oregon women’s track team’s first top-eight NCAA discus thrower in 15 years.
Biggest Heart: (tie) One couldn’t help but respect football tailback Reuben Droughns and basketball forward A.D. Smith.
After missing most of his junior season with a broken leg, Droughns persevered through ailing ribs to rush for 1,234 yards on 277 carries in 10 games.
Smith was listed as out for the regular season after breaking his nose and suffering a concussion against Southern California. He came back two games later wearing a mask that gave him the look of a Friday the 13th character.
Best Senior Class: Oregon women’s golf coach Renee Baumgartner knew that she couldn’t have picked a more perfect team with which to end her 13-year coaching career, often referring to the group as her “dream team.” The main ingredients of that team included four talented seniors: Pam Sowden, Angie Rizzo, Anika Heuser and Kylie Wilson.
Best Female Athlete of the Year: This was also a no-brainer. It goes to the one and only Shaquala Williams. The sophomore sensation was selected as the Pac-10 Player of the Year. Not only was she the youngest player in conference history to receive the award, but we also understand she recently completed the infamous “Info Hell” pre-Journalism class.
Best Male Athlete of the Year: This one was debated around the office for some time, but it was decided that Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington was most deserving. The soon-to-be junior’s heroics were highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown dart to Marshaun Tucker with nine seconds left to beat the Sun Devils 20-17. He also passed for a touchdown and rushed for two more in the Ducks 24-20 upset victory over then-No. 12 Minnesota in the Sun Bowl.
And that completes the Emmies. We appreciate you counting on the Emerald as your source for Duck sports, and we will continue to try and bring it to you five days a week during school, and twice a week in the summer.