As much as I love my Ducks, this article reminds us that out there, in smaller colleges everywhere, are players in all sports that don’t play for contracts, endorsements, or future trading rights. They are young men and women who play for the love of the game. They become our future leaders and go on to do great things in life.
put a lid on it Cindee. The Big 10, SEC, and ACC are where the big boys play. The final four in football has only had two team make the final four. Our Ducks once and UW. Unless the PAC-10 gets some pipe dream of a new, good tv contract deal, the league is fading fast. Adding San Diego St. or SMU to the pac-10 only waters down the league. I have been a Duck fan for just 60 years, love uncle Phiil and Penny for the billion or so they have given the Ducks, only wear Nike air pegasus latest model (40) and have high hopes for the coming season. DUMP TRUMP 2024 AND go Ducks!
.... or from any other poster on this Substack site for that matter. Because here is where we have become used to people treating each other with respect and exchanging ideas and opinions without personal attacks. I liked your comment.
Thanks, Chip. Is it because I’m not male he was disrespectful and rude? I’ve coached every sport successfully in public schools, and almost coached football once. Plus, competed in two different small college sports, so know a lot about that sacrifice. I am older than he, and wiser maybe?
Hi Cindee it could be just that's it's hard to decipher the tone of a message when it is being read on-line. I wouldn't read too much into it and your background is very interesting and the experiences you have had are valuable and we like to hear more about them!
what goes around comes around and you bashed me on here so please understand. maybe you will deny having degraded me but I remember it well. You will get over it I hope. If you think I was disrespfull and rude you have not seen how many have tried to degrade me, like people telling me to go back on some new meds. I take no meds and I apologize Cindee, and never would have used your owns words "put a lid on it" if you had not said that to me. As a life long Duck fan, I have thick skin except for listening to Beavers and Huskies who are as rude as they come. Nothing gets my blood boiling like playing UW and OSU, and I am praying for sweet revenge on them both this year, especially the monsters from montlake. GO DUCKS
Come on Donnie Love the PAC 12 for as long as it is around. I lived in So Cal for 40 years after graduating from OSU. Most all of my USC and UCLA pals are not happy with the move. They are actually going to miss coming up to the PNW to get their tails kicked and not excited about games in Lincoln, New Jersey, and East Lansing, etc.
you wrote that to me a few weeks ago when you did not like something I wrote. Was sure you would not get it. 40 days until first game I heard. DUMP TRUMP GO DUCKS
I can write anything I want, as we still have free speech unless little d. dumpster trumpster changes that too. GO DUCKS DUMP TRUMP. CALL GHOSTBUSTERS or write John Canzano and quit crying.
I used to go watch PSU in the good ole days of Pokey Allen. Too bad they cannot play where the Timbers play. I am a native Oregonian, and sure wish it was safe to go downtown; day or night. I want my city back, and to be able to walk Broadway and visit some hotels down there.
When the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) started rioting about three years ago, I had a bad feeling about the end result. I am voting against our poor excuse of a mayor in 2024. Only reason I voted for Wheeler is that his only opponet was an antifa moron. Wheeler has done nothing to get the tents from the streets. We got rid of racist JoAnn Hardesy from the city of Portland leadership, and now Wheeler needs to be deported back to his old spot in the Pearl. Dump Trump 2024
I have attended several games at the University of Montana and I can tell you, “the cowboys “ come from the mountains and the “BEER” flows freely “ and they are dedicated fans to the highest level. The football in this Conference is damn tough, as is the Conference where the Dakota teams play. Just look at the teams of the PAC-12 that have been beaten by the Big Sky, !!!
Loved the imagery you painted for us with the reference to the Saloon in Tombstone. Mike Leach would have enjoyed that! I know your time and resources are limited and I appreciate the focus on the Big Sky during the season and more of it would be welcome. The disparity in the resources you referenced are shocking.
Chip, great comment. When you monetize anything capitalism is going to separate monetary winners from losers. But are young men playing for the love of the game losers? I don't think so.
Wonderful article. Nice to read about real football fans. For your info fans from Miles City will travel to Bozeman, Mt for a game 286 miles or if they are Grizzly fans, Missoula, 488 miles. Nice little drive for them over the weekend. The game is not life or death and don't insult the visiting fans like, Hate to say it, Oregon fans. I have attended many games at the above mentioned towns and not even close where my next will be.
Thanks John, I really enjoy reading your dispatches but this in my opinion, is one of your gems. Why? Because after months of media drama, transfer pool activity, recruiting and associated drama, I was re-awakened to this simply fact. I love the game of football, I love sports and it doesn't have to be Div. 1. Back in the 70's I went to a boxing match in Seattle, BOOM Boom Boone Kirkland (or Kirkman--memory is bad) was a tavern owning boxer from Renton. And top ten ranked. He fought a contender and lost, but we were all their cheering him on. The local guy. Sitting directly behind me was none other than Smoken Joe Frazier the champ. Joe was down to earth and took time to talk to me and my friends. About what? What else, boxing, he was a fan. He was in Seattle for some business and heard about the fight so showed up. I'm going to make an effort to show up for some Running Rebel football this season in Vegas and the local high school too. Football is football, Highschool under the lights on Friday and Saturday afternoon for football. Old school.
Hey John, Enjoy your substack and the coverage of the Big Sky. Just wanted to point out that Chambers is actually one of the quarterbacks for Montana State not Sacramento State. Also, potentially interesting side-note: As a native Oregonian who lives on the east coast, it's actually easier for me to watch Montana State football games (ESPN+ and reasonable starting times) than many Oregon State games (PAC-12 network distribution issues and 10pm - 11pm starting times).
Not even going to talk about Colorado, John!?!? Burying your head in the sand. Some of the biggest news in your conference history and you're on vacation or something? Gotta get out in front of this one.
I absolutely abhor what has happened to college start times in our conference. I refuse to show up half way to the middle of the night to watch in person. Moneyball has ruined the game.
Last season I attended a game at my alma mater, Cal Poly SLO. I've been to a lot of the biggest CFB games and stadiums in America following my beloved Trojans but I've gotta say, I had as much fun watching that small college game as I did at the 2006 Texas-USC Rose Bowl. People were friendly, atmosphere was 'Americana' as a July 4th parade, and no one I saw was living or dying on the outcome. Just an innocent game of football. Notice I wrote "game." Refreshing, indeed...
I graduated from a (now) FCS school on the East Coast. We were not FCS when I graduated, but we dropped down in the 1990s and it's the perfect fit. I go to a game about every other year, tailgate with my old fraternity brothers, and have an absolute blast.
Portland State desperately needs to find a venue, either an expanded/enhanced Lincoln High or someplace else closer to campus. It's the only way the program can survive.
My wife is an Eastern graduate who played on the tennis team. No athletic scholarships, no air travel, no swanky hotels. Just guts, competition and camradderie.
Great story! And a reminder of better days (in my view) bygone in college football. It’s reassuring to see and serves as an anchor for those of us who are more interested in football than power and money. If I need a fix for just the love of the game, the Big Sky is where I’m going. I can do this and still be a PAC 12 follower.
I have loved this conference going back over 50 years, starting when the best football player my Seattle-area high school ever produced went off to play 3 years of varsity ball (freshman couldn't play varsity) at Montana. the team he was on as a starting linebacker/ safety wet 20-0 regular season in 1970 and 1971 and I followed that in the newspapers even while going to a Pac-8 school. And then, consistently, the best Big Sky players played in the Canadian Football League, another lifelong passion.
It is the Big Sky Conference that has me not too concerned about streaming; to follow their games I have been an ESPN+ subscriber for 3 seasons now. Great games, solid head coaching and I have gotten used to watching games on the laptop or desktop. Thanks for this one...
Great article John. Great to see the dedicated coaches and players in the Big Sky. They prove that football can be serious and fun without the big bucks flowing.
As much as I love my Ducks, this article reminds us that out there, in smaller colleges everywhere, are players in all sports that don’t play for contracts, endorsements, or future trading rights. They are young men and women who play for the love of the game. They become our future leaders and go on to do great things in life.
put a lid on it Cindee. The Big 10, SEC, and ACC are where the big boys play. The final four in football has only had two team make the final four. Our Ducks once and UW. Unless the PAC-10 gets some pipe dream of a new, good tv contract deal, the league is fading fast. Adding San Diego St. or SMU to the pac-10 only waters down the league. I have been a Duck fan for just 60 years, love uncle Phiil and Penny for the billion or so they have given the Ducks, only wear Nike air pegasus latest model (40) and have high hopes for the coming season. DUMP TRUMP 2024 AND go Ducks!
Put a lid on it? Didn’t expect that kind of comment from a fellow Duck.
.... or from any other poster on this Substack site for that matter. Because here is where we have become used to people treating each other with respect and exchanging ideas and opinions without personal attacks. I liked your comment.
Thanks, Chip. Is it because I’m not male he was disrespectful and rude? I’ve coached every sport successfully in public schools, and almost coached football once. Plus, competed in two different small college sports, so know a lot about that sacrifice. I am older than he, and wiser maybe?
Hi Cindee it could be just that's it's hard to decipher the tone of a message when it is being read on-line. I wouldn't read too much into it and your background is very interesting and the experiences you have had are valuable and we like to hear more about them!
As my brother’s old newspaper journalist friends asked him once, is your sister always outspoken.? Yes, when it’s important. Just interesting …..
what goes around comes around and you bashed me on here so please understand. maybe you will deny having degraded me but I remember it well. You will get over it I hope. If you think I was disrespfull and rude you have not seen how many have tried to degrade me, like people telling me to go back on some new meds. I take no meds and I apologize Cindee, and never would have used your owns words "put a lid on it" if you had not said that to me. As a life long Duck fan, I have thick skin except for listening to Beavers and Huskies who are as rude as they come. Nothing gets my blood boiling like playing UW and OSU, and I am praying for sweet revenge on them both this year, especially the monsters from montlake. GO DUCKS
II am with Cindee and Chip!!
Come on Donnie Love the PAC 12 for as long as it is around. I lived in So Cal for 40 years after graduating from OSU. Most all of my USC and UCLA pals are not happy with the move. They are actually going to miss coming up to the PNW to get their tails kicked and not excited about games in Lincoln, New Jersey, and East Lansing, etc.
Donnie being Donnie
GO DAWGS
you wrote that to me a few weeks ago when you did not like something I wrote. Was sure you would not get it. 40 days until first game I heard. DUMP TRUMP GO DUCKS
I’ve never communicated with you
Show some respect, DR. This ain't the place for that.
I can write anything I want, as we still have free speech unless little d. dumpster trumpster changes that too. GO DUCKS DUMP TRUMP. CALL GHOSTBUSTERS or write John Canzano and quit crying.
This ain’t it Donnie
Refreshing indeed and why WE love YOUR new gig! Would have never expected an article about the good ole Big Sky conference.
I miss PSU games downtown.... wait, I don’t go downtown anymore.
I used to go watch PSU in the good ole days of Pokey Allen. Too bad they cannot play where the Timbers play. I am a native Oregonian, and sure wish it was safe to go downtown; day or night. I want my city back, and to be able to walk Broadway and visit some hotels down there.
When the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) started rioting about three years ago, I had a bad feeling about the end result. I am voting against our poor excuse of a mayor in 2024. Only reason I voted for Wheeler is that his only opponet was an antifa moron. Wheeler has done nothing to get the tents from the streets. We got rid of racist JoAnn Hardesy from the city of Portland leadership, and now Wheeler needs to be deported back to his old spot in the Pearl. Dump Trump 2024
I have attended several games at the University of Montana and I can tell you, “the cowboys “ come from the mountains and the “BEER” flows freely “ and they are dedicated fans to the highest level. The football in this Conference is damn tough, as is the Conference where the Dakota teams play. Just look at the teams of the PAC-12 that have been beaten by the Big Sky, !!!
Hope Portland State has a good year.
Loved the imagery you painted for us with the reference to the Saloon in Tombstone. Mike Leach would have enjoyed that! I know your time and resources are limited and I appreciate the focus on the Big Sky during the season and more of it would be welcome. The disparity in the resources you referenced are shocking.
Chip, great comment. When you monetize anything capitalism is going to separate monetary winners from losers. But are young men playing for the love of the game losers? I don't think so.
Thanks for covering the Big Sky. My son is the head coach at Sac State. They play great football in the Big Sky.
I travel to Sacramento often and like it more and more. Best of luck to your son!
Awesome, what a great coaching gig and hats off to your son!!! Sac State has it going on!!!! I will be pulling for the Hornets (?) this season!!!
Montana fan and former player here. Really enjoyed Andy's play at Montana. But he could be running into a trap in Missoula this year.
Trust me after playing for Montana and coaching against them for 20 years he understands and respects the Griz!
Refreshing, to say the least. How “big time” do you have to be?
Food for thought
GO DAWGS
Wonderful article. Nice to read about real football fans. For your info fans from Miles City will travel to Bozeman, Mt for a game 286 miles or if they are Grizzly fans, Missoula, 488 miles. Nice little drive for them over the weekend. The game is not life or death and don't insult the visiting fans like, Hate to say it, Oregon fans. I have attended many games at the above mentioned towns and not even close where my next will be.
Thanks John, I really enjoy reading your dispatches but this in my opinion, is one of your gems. Why? Because after months of media drama, transfer pool activity, recruiting and associated drama, I was re-awakened to this simply fact. I love the game of football, I love sports and it doesn't have to be Div. 1. Back in the 70's I went to a boxing match in Seattle, BOOM Boom Boone Kirkland (or Kirkman--memory is bad) was a tavern owning boxer from Renton. And top ten ranked. He fought a contender and lost, but we were all their cheering him on. The local guy. Sitting directly behind me was none other than Smoken Joe Frazier the champ. Joe was down to earth and took time to talk to me and my friends. About what? What else, boxing, he was a fan. He was in Seattle for some business and heard about the fight so showed up. I'm going to make an effort to show up for some Running Rebel football this season in Vegas and the local high school too. Football is football, Highschool under the lights on Friday and Saturday afternoon for football. Old school.
FCS is Division 1. With a real playoff that gives a shot to every conference that wants a seat at the table.
Hey John, Enjoy your substack and the coverage of the Big Sky. Just wanted to point out that Chambers is actually one of the quarterbacks for Montana State not Sacramento State. Also, potentially interesting side-note: As a native Oregonian who lives on the east coast, it's actually easier for me to watch Montana State football games (ESPN+ and reasonable starting times) than many Oregon State games (PAC-12 network distribution issues and 10pm - 11pm starting times).
Made the fix. Caught it pretty early. Thank you for reading. Good eye.
Not even going to talk about Colorado, John!?!? Burying your head in the sand. Some of the biggest news in your conference history and you're on vacation or something? Gotta get out in front of this one.
I absolutely abhor what has happened to college start times in our conference. I refuse to show up half way to the middle of the night to watch in person. Moneyball has ruined the game.
Sick article, JC. #perspective. 😁✊👊
Last season I attended a game at my alma mater, Cal Poly SLO. I've been to a lot of the biggest CFB games and stadiums in America following my beloved Trojans but I've gotta say, I had as much fun watching that small college game as I did at the 2006 Texas-USC Rose Bowl. People were friendly, atmosphere was 'Americana' as a July 4th parade, and no one I saw was living or dying on the outcome. Just an innocent game of football. Notice I wrote "game." Refreshing, indeed...
And now you have a 5-star recruit playing QB for the Mustangs! Best to Cal-Poly in 2023.
Well, he heard that John Madden and I went there...
Love it!
I graduated from a (now) FCS school on the East Coast. We were not FCS when I graduated, but we dropped down in the 1990s and it's the perfect fit. I go to a game about every other year, tailgate with my old fraternity brothers, and have an absolute blast.
Portland State desperately needs to find a venue, either an expanded/enhanced Lincoln High or someplace else closer to campus. It's the only way the program can survive.
This is on the money EA!!
Love Eastern Washington Eagles. They had a great run in football a few years ago and they do it on an extremely low budget.
My wife is an Eastern graduate who played on the tennis team. No athletic scholarships, no air travel, no swanky hotels. Just guts, competition and camradderie.
Great story! And a reminder of better days (in my view) bygone in college football. It’s reassuring to see and serves as an anchor for those of us who are more interested in football than power and money. If I need a fix for just the love of the game, the Big Sky is where I’m going. I can do this and still be a PAC 12 follower.
I have loved this conference going back over 50 years, starting when the best football player my Seattle-area high school ever produced went off to play 3 years of varsity ball (freshman couldn't play varsity) at Montana. the team he was on as a starting linebacker/ safety wet 20-0 regular season in 1970 and 1971 and I followed that in the newspapers even while going to a Pac-8 school. And then, consistently, the best Big Sky players played in the Canadian Football League, another lifelong passion.
It is the Big Sky Conference that has me not too concerned about streaming; to follow their games I have been an ESPN+ subscriber for 3 seasons now. Great games, solid head coaching and I have gotten used to watching games on the laptop or desktop. Thanks for this one...
Great article John. Great to see the dedicated coaches and players in the Big Sky. They prove that football can be serious and fun without the big bucks flowing.