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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2003)
— PIZZA $1 OFF MEDIUM Present coupon. Not valid with other offers. Good through 12-31-03. FREE DELIVERY 1809 FRANKLIN BLVD 284-8484 or 484-2799 EUGENE #apv jpungr ^ Jf Jfmf/aSm HARDWARE .....— • Hardware • Electrical • Plumbing • Paint • Housewares • Lawn & Garden • Too/s 342-5191 2825 Willamette Eugene, Oregon your independent student newspaper Oregon, Beavers exemplify rivalries in Pacific northwest Mindi Rice The girl and the game Five years ago, if someone had asked me what the Civil War was, my answer wouldn't have made sense to Oregoni ans: 'That war, a long time ago, be tween the North and the South." Growing up in Apple Cup land, not a lot of attention was paid to Oregon's version of the Civil War. There were plenty of dawg and kitten jokes that flew into Seattle during rivalry week, but, for goodness sake, what the heck were a Beaver and a Duck doing play ing each other? Now I know better. Or at least I have come to learn and love the mad ness behind Oregon's in-state rivalry. How many Beavers does it take to change a lightbulb? One, but he gets four credits for it. As a freshman, I couldn't under stand why the two big state schools were so close together — until the week before my first Civil War. Even though the game was in Cor vallis, the week leading up to it was filled with all things civil and uncivil between the two schools. It taught me just how deeply root ed the schools are in the state and how passionate Oregon and Oregon State alumni are about their alma maters. In Washington, the Apple Cup tends to receive more media hype than actual hype from the fans and alumni. In the stands the following year, I joined my classmates in the student sec tion, and learned what Duck spirit truly is. Through the wind, rain and mad ness, Oregon held steady in Autzen Sta dium, cheering the Ducks to victory. The only game I've heard louder than the 2001 Civil War was this sea son's 31-27 win against Michigan. Did you hear they're thinking of re placing the turf in Reser Stadium with cardboard? Because the Beavers only look good on paper. The best thing about these in-state rivalry games is that it doesn't always matter which team is having the bet ter season. So much emotion is brought in to these games that the un derdog has a good shot to pull out a victory — no matter the spread. The fans can truly make or break these games with their emotion. The last six Civil Wars have been won by the home team. I suppose this is a call to the Duck faithful: Make Saturday big. Wear your green and yellow, paint your face, scream until your voice is gone — take Civil War for all it's worth and support the Ducks and your school. After all, it couldn't hurt the Ducks to have 54,000-plus wild fans on their side. That's the best part about Eugene: The fans — well, minus a sometimes fickle student body — fill the seats at every game. The Apple Cup fills Husky Stadi um and Martin Stadium but not with the same intensity. In Seattle, the intensity gets lost somewhere be tween Pike Street and Montlake Boulevard. Washington students are the only fans who end up truly pas sionate about the game. Corvallis and Eugene end up with Civil War fever because everyone in the towns gets behind their team. Did you hear about the Oregon State football player who stayed up all night studying for his urine test? Contact the senior sports reporter at msndirice@dailyemerald.com. Her views do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald. Heading for the game? stop for a cK/tispy uK/teme Zonta Club of Eugene Doughnut Sale $7 per dozen YOWWEEE... 2095 Centennial ■ Saturn of Eugene Saturday, November 22 8:00am Be A Mentor. It Makes A Difference. ^ Ivva V++JUL*** One year ^VVp committment x needed. Average V time spent is 15 \ hrs/month or \ meeting with youth lx week. CPY supports relationships by providing activities, ongoing mentor trainings, and discounts to community events. Mentoring at-risk adolescents from schools & the juvenile court system. GPY@GOMMinEDPARTNIRS.ORG PLEASE CALL T0DAYI 3440833
