Was in Italy earlier this year and hopped into a taxi at the Florence train station. The cabbie, in broken English, asked where we were from. We told him Oregon USA to which he immediately replied, “Are you Beaver or are you Duck?” Such is the global reach of our two fine institutions.
My wife and I, both Oregon State Alum, watch the Beavers play from our current home in Atyrau, Kazakhstan... 12hrs in the ‘future’ compared to Corvallis, Oregon. Go Beavers!
Even more interesting, my manager, Kazakh born and raised, happens to also be an Oregon State alumni.
I learned this last year as she and I met in person for the first time, 2 days before the Civil War, as she described how much she loves the rain, something that is not terribly common in the arid steppe of Kazakhstan. I explained that where I grew up, it happened to rain very, very often, and I too am fond of it. She asked where that was, and to my reply of ‘Portland, Oregon’, she said, “Oh, I love Oregon, it’s so beautiful!”
My response matched the shocked look on my face, “You’ve been to Oregon?!?” A reasonable question since NYC, Miami and LA typically top most foreigners wish list for their first visit to the USA.
“Sure,” she replied, “I did my undergrad at Oregon State University.”
Attending first college football game since 2005....viewed hundreds in my living room...but Saturday my husband and I will be sitting in Martin stadium cheering the Beavers🏈👏🦫!!!
I’ll be in Pullman cheering for the Beavers alongside my 14-year-old great-nephew from Wenatchee who will be wearing crimson and silver. I’m expecting a great game and a collegial atmosphere.
Being on the Autzen construction crew in 1967 (my dad was the General Superintendent of Autzen construction) my wife and I got to go free with other workers to Colorado game that September
In 1968/1972 we sat in the student section
In those days the games were free with student body card and spouses got in for one dollar
Doing those years we could only afford Duck Sports as my wife was a teller at Citizen bank on west 11th
After graduating in 1972 for several years we would set in the west end zone (Wheaton’s pick
ended right in front of us!
Then we got 45 yard line season tickets in Section 33PR for several decades
After going with and married for 58 years my wife graduated to Heaven in 2021 so I gave up our season tickets
For two years being a widower I would have church guys come to my townhouse to watch the games
Last year I met Tracy at our churches 13 week ‘Grief Share’ seminar meetings as she had lost her husband
We were married June 20th
She will be sitting by me this year asking intelligent questions about rules and different positions
I got great seats for Civil War in November and am sick to death it will be the last one played in November
When the Beavers come out of the tunnel I will be standing up cheering for them with sincere sympathy of what their plight is now!
I am not a typical Duck in that I cheer for the Beavs in other games but when they play the Ducks I want to wipe them off the field!
Sep 19, 2023·edited Sep 19, 2023Liked by John Canzano
Kia ora from Wellington, New Zealand, the Southernmost capital city on earth. We get select CFB games on ESPN & ESPN2 Australia, which sometimes features the Ducks. Otherwise I rely on blowtorch wifi, a good firewall, VPN and a small number of reliable if a bit dodgy websites.
Kickoffs for CFB are normally between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM Sunday (12:30 - 6:00 PM Sat PDT). I usually watch the games "with" a couple of Ducks - focused Facebook groups, commenting and interacting in real time. Its both weird and a lot of fun.
Also: the reach of NBA League Pass, MLBTV and NFL+ is far and wide. Living 21 time zones from home has never been easier.
My wife and I will be in Pullman. I always have thought that some year I’d love to go to every Beaver football game home and away. With the quality of the team and the demise of the Pac-12, this is that year! After this year, the only Pac-12 stadium we will have missed over the years is Utah.
Oregon fans attending the game (students included): Shock the heck out of Colorado. Instead of booing the UC team when it comes onto the field, gently clap your hands (damned with faint praise). The action will accomplish two things: it won’t give the team and Coach Prime more reason to get hyped for the game and it will show the UC/Prime contingent that we’re better at sportsmanship than they are.
I am left wondering how many Apple Subscriptions would have been sold this weekend! The PAC 12 could have been well on its way toward making a record breaking revenue stream for the conference if it would have made the Apple deal
When the Colorado-Oregon game starts, I will be the plate umpire for a Little League softball game in Washougal. Thanks to the time limit for the softball game, I’m hoping to be home by halftime.
Live in San Diego, but spend a ton of time in both Seattle and Philadelphia for work. Have staff in both places. Get to Autzen once per season for a game. When in San Diego watch at home if I can, but DirectTV has no Pac 12, and currently no Fox. So, watch at PB Ale House in Pacific Beach, which is the alumni watch bar. When in Seattle, Buckleys in Belltown. When in Philadelphia, The Great American Pub in Wayne. Always Ducks in both places.
I am a 1972 grad from Oregon State, husband took a beer term and graduated a year later. We live in British Columbia, forest engineering thank to OSU. We were ecstatic when we could pull in KEX on the radio and there was a basketball game on, Holy Jumpin up and down Martha! We love it when we can get a game on Fox as will happen on Saturday. But usually I am relegated to Varsity radio and ESPN game cast. Not as satisfying but when the Beavs are on we are listening. Go Beavs.
I've been in 101 countries so far. I've worked out of the USA more than in it. Frequently, more times that I could tally, in many countries, I've seen the "O" on caps, T-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, water bottles, watches, luggage tags... Even in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, China, Cuba... all continents. It's an amazing branding effort. I wonder if the citizens just like the O logo, or if they actually watch/listen to any games???
Was in Italy earlier this year and hopped into a taxi at the Florence train station. The cabbie, in broken English, asked where we were from. We told him Oregon USA to which he immediately replied, “Are you Beaver or are you Duck?” Such is the global reach of our two fine institutions.
That is tremendous.
love that story RJB!!
Fun and maybe he's also a smart taxi driver working for a good tip.
My wife and I, both Oregon State Alum, watch the Beavers play from our current home in Atyrau, Kazakhstan... 12hrs in the ‘future’ compared to Corvallis, Oregon. Go Beavers!
Even more interesting, my manager, Kazakh born and raised, happens to also be an Oregon State alumni.
I learned this last year as she and I met in person for the first time, 2 days before the Civil War, as she described how much she loves the rain, something that is not terribly common in the arid steppe of Kazakhstan. I explained that where I grew up, it happened to rain very, very often, and I too am fond of it. She asked where that was, and to my reply of ‘Portland, Oregon’, she said, “Oh, I love Oregon, it’s so beautiful!”
My response matched the shocked look on my face, “You’ve been to Oregon?!?” A reasonable question since NYC, Miami and LA typically top most foreigners wish list for their first visit to the USA.
“Sure,” she replied, “I did my undergrad at Oregon State University.”
My mind was blown.
That is amazing.
amazing story!!!
What do you do in Kazakhstan?
Attending first college football game since 2005....viewed hundreds in my living room...but Saturday my husband and I will be sitting in Martin stadium cheering the Beavers🏈👏🦫!!!
Big game.
I’ll be in Pullman cheering for the Beavers alongside my 14-year-old great-nephew from Wenatchee who will be wearing crimson and silver. I’m expecting a great game and a collegial atmosphere.
Silver?
Not Crimson and Gray?
No, he’s fancy.
Ha ha.
At least it is better than anthracite. I hated it when the Cougs added anthracite to their colors.
I don’t even know what anthracite is. I guess I don’t remember that fad.
Being on the Autzen construction crew in 1967 (my dad was the General Superintendent of Autzen construction) my wife and I got to go free with other workers to Colorado game that September
In 1968/1972 we sat in the student section
In those days the games were free with student body card and spouses got in for one dollar
Doing those years we could only afford Duck Sports as my wife was a teller at Citizen bank on west 11th
After graduating in 1972 for several years we would set in the west end zone (Wheaton’s pick
ended right in front of us!
Then we got 45 yard line season tickets in Section 33PR for several decades
After going with and married for 58 years my wife graduated to Heaven in 2021 so I gave up our season tickets
For two years being a widower I would have church guys come to my townhouse to watch the games
Last year I met Tracy at our churches 13 week ‘Grief Share’ seminar meetings as she had lost her husband
We were married June 20th
She will be sitting by me this year asking intelligent questions about rules and different positions
I got great seats for Civil War in November and am sick to death it will be the last one played in November
When the Beavers come out of the tunnel I will be standing up cheering for them with sincere sympathy of what their plight is now!
I am not a typical Duck in that I cheer for the Beavs in other games but when they play the Ducks I want to wipe them off the field!
Go Ducks
Wonderful arc.
Kia ora from Wellington, New Zealand, the Southernmost capital city on earth. We get select CFB games on ESPN & ESPN2 Australia, which sometimes features the Ducks. Otherwise I rely on blowtorch wifi, a good firewall, VPN and a small number of reliable if a bit dodgy websites.
Kickoffs for CFB are normally between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM Sunday (12:30 - 6:00 PM Sat PDT). I usually watch the games "with" a couple of Ducks - focused Facebook groups, commenting and interacting in real time. Its both weird and a lot of fun.
Also: the reach of NBA League Pass, MLBTV and NFL+ is far and wide. Living 21 time zones from home has never been easier.
Go Ducks!
Hello from afar...
Kia Ora from Wanaka. Go Ducks!
My wife and I will be in Pullman. I always have thought that some year I’d love to go to every Beaver football game home and away. With the quality of the team and the demise of the Pac-12, this is that year! After this year, the only Pac-12 stadium we will have missed over the years is Utah.
Great stadium.
I am jealous Michael!!!!
AUTZEN‼️
Oregon fans attending the game (students included): Shock the heck out of Colorado. Instead of booing the UC team when it comes onto the field, gently clap your hands (damned with faint praise). The action will accomplish two things: it won’t give the team and Coach Prime more reason to get hyped for the game and it will show the UC/Prime contingent that we’re better at sportsmanship than they are.
And take off your hat and shades?
I am left wondering how many Apple Subscriptions would have been sold this weekend! The PAC 12 could have been well on its way toward making a record breaking revenue stream for the conference if it would have made the Apple deal
Would have been huge.
If you can put together a cumulative audience figure for all PAC 12 games this weekend, that would be interesting
When the Colorado-Oregon game starts, I will be the plate umpire for a Little League softball game in Washougal. Thanks to the time limit for the softball game, I’m hoping to be home by halftime.
call 'em how you see 'em.
Heading to Pullman for the OSU game.
Wouldn't miss it.
Hurray for the Pac II!
Enjoy the game.
In Belgium and the Netherlands for the month...Duck games on at 2am, 3am.. I think the Colorado game will be on at 9:30pm! Yay!
Almost prime time... for prime time.
Live in San Diego, but spend a ton of time in both Seattle and Philadelphia for work. Have staff in both places. Get to Autzen once per season for a game. When in San Diego watch at home if I can, but DirectTV has no Pac 12, and currently no Fox. So, watch at PB Ale House in Pacific Beach, which is the alumni watch bar. When in Seattle, Buckleys in Belltown. When in Philadelphia, The Great American Pub in Wayne. Always Ducks in both places.
Shoot I always watch from Buckley’s in Queen Anne. Check it out next time, could use more ducks in there
Will be watching the Ducks from
Southport NC🏈Rooting for the Beavers to win the PAC2-12 ; money cannot buy championship’s hard work fundamentals and execution do.
East Coast Beaver.
I am a 1972 grad from Oregon State, husband took a beer term and graduated a year later. We live in British Columbia, forest engineering thank to OSU. We were ecstatic when we could pull in KEX on the radio and there was a basketball game on, Holy Jumpin up and down Martha! We love it when we can get a game on Fox as will happen on Saturday. But usually I am relegated to Varsity radio and ESPN game cast. Not as satisfying but when the Beavs are on we are listening. Go Beavs.
Holy Jumping up and down Martha...Bingo, Bango, Bongo, Here Come Da Bevas! Loving it...the good old Gary Payton days and Ralph Miller days at OSU.
I've been in 101 countries so far. I've worked out of the USA more than in it. Frequently, more times that I could tally, in many countries, I've seen the "O" on caps, T-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, water bottles, watches, luggage tags... Even in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, China, Cuba... all continents. It's an amazing branding effort. I wonder if the citizens just like the O logo, or if they actually watch/listen to any games???