letter winner order of the o newsletter I university of oregon I summer 2008 Duck Baseball’s Newest Fan Kevin CosTner Baseball of Fire Joe Giansante page 5 Inside the NEW BASKETBALL Arena page 4 Nine Innings with the Legend page 6 MEL KRAUSE Message from the President Dear Fellow Letter Winners Well I’m back. It seems my replacement, Rich Vaughn, has one more year in Japan with his teacher exchange program. I promise after next year there will be some new leadership. don stone - president I am looking forward to the 2008-2009 year with positive anticipation. As you know we have established a scholarship and this year we have another tremendous recipient; the winner will be announced soon. For this next year we have another project planned. This past December, I received a note from one of our graduating Duck athletes. She was looking for a job and had very few leads. She sent me her resume and I passed it on to some of my Oregon teammates who happen to be working in her field of study. Because our board feels our organization is as much a service club as it is a Board of Directors social club, we would like to compile a database for our seniors to use in pursuing jobs. I know I would not be where I am today if not Don Stone, President Football 1970-71 for the education I received at Oregon, nor the influence some great Matt LaBounty, Treasurer coaches had on me during that time. So in spirit, it’s time to give Football 1989-91 back to our University. My hope is to put together a network program Missy Koke, Secretary and database enabling graduating student-athletes to contact past Softball 1994-99 letterwinners who can share information about their careers and Dick Arbuckle Football 1959-60 help them find employment. So when you receive your renewal letter, Mike Johnson please note your occupation and all your contact information. Football 1968-70 Doug Little A couple of reminders for next year…we will again have an Order of Men’s Basketball 1971-73 Colin McArthur the O tunnel for the first home football game, a big one: the Huskies, Men’s Track 1997-2000 on August 30. Also the Oregon athletic department is planning for Trina McCartney a Football Reunion at one of the games later this fall…more on that Women’s Basketball 1991 later. Tim Reed Baseball 1976 Curt Strahm Shortly you will receive your renewal letter. I look forward to serving Wrestling 1987-91 one more year as your president. Please contact me at Brian Wright [email protected] or Beth Campbell [email protected] if you Men’s Track 1988-91 have any suggestions or comments. Bob Donnelly, Social Tennis, FB Manager 1964-65 Peg Rees (Sr. Awards, Becky Sisley) As always GO DUCKS! Volleyball, Basketball, Softball 1973-77 Jenifer Pleus Sincerely, XC & Track 1975-79 Don Stone Rich Vaughn Swimming 1968 Order of the O President Matt English, Assoc. Dir. of Development Beth Campbell, Development Asst. Writing: Ken Woody Design: Brian Thomas Wright Creative Group Editor: Missy Koke Printing: QSL Printing Photos: Jack Liu, Eric Evans, Missy Koke & John Guistina. © University of Oregon 2008 The LetterWinner is the official publication of the Order of the O and the University of Oregon Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. If you have stories, ideas, or articles about Order of the O members, address changes, or other suggestions for the please send correspondence to: Missy Koke Order of the O Department of Intercollegiate Athletics University of Oregon 2727 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, Oregon 97401-8835 541-346-4460 Rave Reviews Oregon women’s softball had a highly successful reunion in March around a three-game weekend which included defeating defending national champion Arizona. The result? “It was a wonderful weekend,” enthused Peg Rees, former player and Order of the O Board member. “We had 70 players and coaches return, from 1968-2008. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with teammates from the past.” Not only that, but the Ducks’ win over Arizona (which ultimately was the decider in Oregon winning their first-ever series with the Wildcats), proved the tipping point in the Ducks being picked for the NCAA playoffs despite finishing in 8th place in the tough Pac10 Conference. The reunion was the result of a lot of work by former athletic director Becky Sisley, Alison Smith and the Oregon Alumni Association’s Lisa Fortin and provides a model for other athletes and teams that might be considering reunions of their own in the future. “The Alumni Association is only focusing on 50th class reunions for respective classes, as the 10, 20 and 30-year reunions are fading,” said Fortin. “We are finding ways to work with ‘affinity-group’ reunions, like with the softball team. The Alumni Association will Softball Reunion 140, and a tailgater at the ball park, sponsored by the parents of the present team. Football season is still prime time for reunions, primarily because of the Homecoming events: there are a multitude of them and the Association will work with your team to have you included. “Other than that,” observed Fortin, “reunions are best around events that will attract the interest of the particular group, like the softball reunion for a series of games during their own season.” Becky Sisley, the ‘grande dame’ of Oregon women’s sports, as a coach and athletic director named to the Oregon Hall of Fame said, “We had a fabulous banquet, there were just so many good vibes, it was awesome. A reunion should be to renew friendships, retain memories and it’s also important to fund raising.” The players on the current team were treated to an evening of memories and recognition for 40 years of softball, including hearing from four All Americans. The softball reunion provides a model for other teams to “We had a fabulous banquet, there were just so many follow, both women’s and good vibes. A reunion should be to renew friendships, men’s. Those interested retain memories and it’s also important to fund raising.” are encouraged to contact Lisa Fortin of the Alumni Association at (541) give support in programming: campus tours, design of 346-5710 to get the ball rolling. The rewards are materials, and preparing the mailing.” not just for the alumns: this year’s softball players talked about the sense of tradition they discovered in The group having the reunion would be responsible speaking with and hearing from players of the past. for putting together a mailing list which is important Thus inspired, they beat the Wildcats and ultimately because some athletes finish their eligibility but don’t earned a trip to the NCAA playoffs. This sense of officially graduate, which is the list the Association tradition is an important learning experience for all maintains. The team would plan and finance their Duck athletes, both past and present. In the end, the banquet, or have a registration fee to break even. The scores are forgotten, but the friendships are a gift softball team reunion featured a banquet attended by that never stops giving. o Inside the NEW Basketball Arena New Basketball Arena Will be a Modern ‘Mac’ The new basketball arena will “be a good deal for former student-athletes, lettermen and alumni,” declared Jim Bartko, Senior Associate Athletic Director, on one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the University of Oregon. “The biggest misconception out there is that ticket prices are going to be higher, making it difficult for the average fan to afford to come to the games. While there will be some upgraded seating, there will be plenty of options at prices comparable, or in some cases less, than right now.” Bartko, in his 19th year with the university, said, “We’re going to reward our fans, there will be a place in this building for everybody to enjoy. If you’re good and loud, you will win.” “It’s been a seven year journey so far,” observed Bartko, “the permitting process is going well and we hope to break ground in October and then we’re looking at two years before it’s ready.” The stadium will be located on land previously occupied by the Sunbeam Bakery, now owned by the university, near Franklin Boulevard. The stadium will be close to parking off campus, and right next to one of the main bus lines in Eugene-Springfield, which should allay the anxiety of residents near campus who worry about the additional crowd capacity (12,500) of the new arena. The process of replacing the storied (and loathed, by opposing teams and coaches) Mac Court has been arduous and controversial. The arena, the second oldest in the country, has outlived its usefulness. The intimacy of the arena has sustained the ‘home court advantage’ for the Ducks’ basketball and volleyball teams, but in terms of bathrooms, concessions and comfort, much is left to be desired. “It’s been difficult to try and make a modern-day Mac Court,” said Bartko,” having the second and third decks right over the floor seating as it is in Mac Court is not suitable in this day and age, but architects can recreate that situation with a steep angle for seating, which will bring fans closer to the floor than (modern) arenas that are bigger and more spread out.” The new arena will host 52 events a year in men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball and is budgeted for 20 additional events, including concerts, lectures, graduations, and high school state tournaments. “We will be hiring a manager for the arena who will also be responsible for marketing,’ said Bartko, “but this is first and foremost an athletic arena. We are budgeting for 70 events a year, not 200.” So what’s going to happen to loveable old Mac Court? “It’s in the hands of a faculty/student committee,” replied Bartko. “Ideas I have heard about range from a parking facility, dormitory space, or an alumni center, among others.” The good news is that the new arena won’t price out the Duck fans that have made the ‘Mac Court Experience’ memorable over the years. The bad news, for opponents, is there will be about 3500 more Ducks in an atmosphere that has been specifically designed to emulate the intimacy of the old arena. With shorter lines at concessions and rest rooms, just think how much more of those games you’ll actually be able to see! o Joe Giansante is a ball of fire and a big baseball fan, the perfect point man to lead the revival of Oregon’s storied baseball program. “Baseball has a proud tradition here,” he said, “it was Oregon’s first collegiate sport. We should have baseball here, it’s part of our heritage.” Giansante even pointed out the Ducks made the trip to Omaha’s World Series (1954) long before the Beavers (who have won back-to-back titles) ever did. Such statements have revived old rivalries. Giansante, Associate Athletic Director, who is also known as the television voice of the Ducks for the Oregon Sports Network, said that Oregon does have an advantage once the stadium is built: “We want to average 2,000 fans by year five, but with the minor league Eugene Emeralds leasing the facility in the summer we have the advantage of lease payments and extras from concessions and attendance.” The Emeralds have traditionally been a strong draw in Eugene’s summers, regardless of winning or losing records. “No other college has a minor league team using their ball park,” said Giansante, but when you think about, it’s a great idea. a BALL of FIRE and a BIG Baseball FAN The Ducks’ new baseball digs will be east of Autzen (see inserts), with plenty of parking and access to 4500 students (more than in current dormitory housing on campus), who live across Martin Luther King Expressway. “It’s just like building the stadium right across from the dorms,” observed Giansante. “The biggest challenge has been fund raising: because we’re having to raise money for everything all at once: operations, scholarships, and a place to play.” Plans for fund raising are ambitious: “We told President Frohnmayer that we want to involve 100% of Oregon’s 452 baseball letter winners as a start, no matter what level of giving. As for our timeline, we’re currently in the ‘second inning,’ although we’d like to be in the seventh.” As with the basketball arena, permitting and architecture plans and revisions may add precious time to a project that needs to have a home ball park set for the 2009 season. “We have a contingency plan to play homes games at Civic Stadium (near South Eugene High School and the Oregon campus) or at Swede Johnson (North Eugene High School—1500 chair-back seats), but we think we’re still on schedule to open here at the Autzen site,” observed Giansante. The biggest concern voiced by fans has been the loss of 500 prime parking spaces for football games with the addition of the new park. That doesn’t mean the facility will sit empty outside of baseball season. “For football games, we’re going to have a big tent over it, making it an outdoor ‘Mo Center,’ said Giansante. “It will be a free celebration area that will be much more convenient for fans coming in from the east side of the stadium. We want the fans to have a great, fun experience.” As for the parking situation, fans that have been at other venues in the Pac-10 know that Eugene’s situation is well thought out and orchestrated, and problems encountered will be solved. In the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, it was easy to get a parking spot at Autzen. The only trouble was there was no place to go before the game, and once the game started, the outcomes were not always pleasant. Better to have a great pre-game atmosphere and a competitive football team than an easy parking space any day. That is, if you want to challenge for conference and national championships. And with a national champion coach, George Horton, and the best conference in the country, Duck baseball fans next year can look forward to first-class baseball in a first-class facility after a 28-year hiatus. o Joe Giansante Spotlight Baseball Stadium on Schedule. MEL KRAUSE celebration of his achievements. Laughter prevailed, despite some tears. “Mel would tear you down, and then build you back up,” said one of his ex-players. You heard a lot about the ‘building up’ from the speakers. It’s easy to estimate that alone, Krause worked directly with thousands of young men and women, many who have passed on what they learned to their own kids or teams. It all adds up to a beautiful legacy from a man known to have a soft spot in his heart for kids, but could be ‘hell on wheels’ to an umpire or referee. “Nine Innings with Mel,” conducted in the middle of April, drew a crowd of one thousand people to honor Mel Krause. Krause is the popular Oregon baseball coach who saw his program dropped from under him in 1981. Since that time, Krause has been a tireless advocate for youth baseball and the resurrection of the Duck baseball program, which is going to be reinstated in 2009. What made this celebration special was that Krause was diagnosed with leukemia in January. Doctors tell him he has two to six months to live. For many, this would be their last chance to tell Mel how special he was in their lives. The gathering served in place of a funeral, and less than two months later, Krause succumbed to the disease on June 13th, 2008. There were nine speakers, one for each inning, and they represented stories of Mel’s legendary coaching and mentoring from high school baseball, basketball and football, college and junior college coaching, and his many years of youth sports involvement. There were inside jokes, stories, a reunion for many of his athletes, and a Krause had insisted on an upbeat approach to the celebration: there were peanuts, crackerjack, hotdogs and beer, (“and no crying”) just like at the ball park. There was the National Anthem and Mel led the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” All the trappings of what Krause loved most: a baseball game with all his friends. “We all just live day-to-day,” Krause said, “who knows how long I’m gonna be alive. I hope I can make it to ’09 and the first (Oregon’s) ball game.” Krause, 80, said he’s had no regrets, and he’s had a great life, and “if it’s time to check out, it’s time to check out.” Mel follows a long line of legendary coaches at Oregon: Bowerman, Casanova, Frei, Dellinger, men whose “Mel would tear you down, and then build you back up,” said one of his ex-players. players still sing praises of their coach(es). Krause’s desire to compete and win was intense, but like his own mentors, his finest, and longest-lasting victories are embodied in the players he helped become responsible adults, parents and coaches They will pass his gifts to generations yet to come. o Mel Krause Feature Nine Innings with congratulations HALL OF FAME class of 2007 Two Oregon coaches and four athletes were inducted in the University of Oregon Athletics Hall-of-Fame before the Arizona State football game this fall. Arne Kvalheim, Track and Field, 1967-69; Debbie Sporcich, Women’s Basketball, 1990-94; Willie West, Football, 1956-59; and James Yuhashi, Men’s Gymnastics, 1980-81, were honored as athletes who distinguished themselves both regionally and nationally while competing for Oregon. the archrival Oregon State Beavers. Taking advantage of a bye week as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, Brooks gave his players all the credit for his success: “This award belongs to them as much as it does to me. We all went through a lot here at Oregon and I am proud to be associated with the players and teams that have done so much for the university. This is a very proud moment for me.” In a reception and dinner at The Club at Autzen, the inductees were honored before a capacity crowd. As a Duck, Willie West played both offense and defense and earned first-team All Conference and All-Coast accolades in a career that culminated with him being voted cocaptain and honorable mention All-American in 1959. Drafted in the fourth round, West played pro football for nine years and was selected for the All-AFL team and Pro Bowl twice. The Order of the O also honors one member of the Oregon athletic family who was not a letter winner, but has made a great contribution to the success of the program and its athletes. This year’s winner was Neil Zoumboukos, who served as an assistant football coach for the Ducks for 27 years in his 39-year coaching career. Zoumboukos, a colorful personality with his players and fans alike, instilled a work ethic in his players and inspired many of his charges to follow in his footsteps into the coaching profession. He, like Brooks, credited his players for his achievement: “I wouldn’t be here without great players who worked hard and loved this program. I am the luckiest man in the world to have been part of their lives and shared in the success they had on the playing field.” Zoumboukos, who had additional administrative duties as an assistant football coach, is currently in a new role as a special assistant to the athletic director. Arne Kvalheim was one of the top distance runners in the world, with a collegiate record in the 2-mile run, and as an eleven-time Norwegian national champion, set five all-time marks in his country’s history. He was picked as the 1969 Emerald Trophy recipient as the university’s top student-athlete in addition to All-American honors in 1968 and winning the Pac-8 Conference’s 3-mile championship in 1969. In gymnastics, James Yuhashi was a two-time All American whose unique floor exercise was dubbed “The Yuhashi” when he scored 9.90 to win the championship at the NCAA tournament in 1981. Achieved in his last collegiate performance, it was the first time the maneuver had ever been performed in the world. While at Oregon, Yuhashi, lead the Ducks to a third and fifth-place finish in the NCAA championships and four consecutive Pac-10 Conference championships. Rich Brooks, Head football coach for the Ducks from 1977-1994, lead Oregon to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 37 years in 1995. Brooks ended his career as the winningest football coach in school history, and more importantly to many, posted a 14-3-1 record against The Order of the O is pleased to partner with the Department of Athletics in the production of the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony. Induction into the Hall is the ultimate honor for any past Oregon athlete. o Rich Brooks Debbie Sporcich lead the Ducks to their first NCAA tournament appearance in seven years as a senior and finished as an All-Conference choice in 1994. A threetime team MVP, she is the only women’s basketball player in the program’s history to lead the team in rebounding four consecutive seasons. Sporcich was one of ten Oregon players named to the Pac-10’s women’s all-decade team in 1996. Letter Winner Department of Intercollegiate Athletics University of Oregon 2727 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, Oregon 97401-8835 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID EUGENE OR PERMIT NO. 131 2007-08 Oregon Team Results M BB 18-14 (9-9 Pac-10, T5th) W BB 14-17 (7-11 Pac-10, 7th) M CC 1st Pac-10, NCCA Champions W CC 2nd Pac-10, 2nd NCAA Football 10-4 (Pac-10 T 4th) M Golf 9th Pac-10 W Golf 7th Pac-10 Lacrosse 13-7 (3rd MPSF) W Soccer 8-8-4 (7th Pac-10) W Softball 33-27 M Tennis 11-14 (8th Pac-10) W Tennis 10-12 (6th Pac-10) W Volleyball22-11 (T 5th Pac-10) Wrestling 9th Pac-10 Visit the Order of the O Website! www.orderoftheo.com Remember, This Is Your Newsletter! What’s new with you? Please let us know so we can put your information in a future DuckUpdates section and let other former letter winners read about your accomplishments. Enclose a recent photo if you want to. 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