80 Comments

Articles need to be written about the underdog and the forgotten, it's the only way they can reverse that stigma.

Thank you John for being that voice

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Lets go Vikes!!! Get them back to Downtown Stadium where they belong. Put the Civic back into Civic Stadium....

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We used to go to PSU games downtown, it was fun. Not to mention at one point it was the only place you could watch football with a beer in the stands and a bar on the sideline.

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I'm not a Portland State fan -- in fact, I hardly follow them. However, I like the fact that you write about them, John. Portland State is to Oregon what San Jose State is to the Bay Area -- an often forgotten school that plays second fiddle to two bigger schools that share the same region (in this case, Oregon and OSU). I like that you mine Portland State, to some degree the University of Portland, and even sometimes smaller schools (like Warner Pacific) for stories that probably wouldn't get much play elsewhere. It's one of the things that made Mark Purdy great at the Mercury News, and I see the same thing in you. That's one of the highest compliments I can give a sportswriter like yourself.

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The secret sauce is Making It Fun.

Pokey Allen was an excellent coach; he and Steve Weaver (a student of The Bill Veeck School of Baseball Promotions) maintained an outward sense of fun while taking the Xs and Os very seriously.

Have fun, Vikings!

(“You, too!”)

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I remember Steve The Dream Weaver. I adopted one of his pet phrases: 'Today, my feel good doesn't'.

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“I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t LAST night.”

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Great story and story telling John. I am rooting for PSU.

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Now that's a Cool Chick!

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Ann Cudd shames the PAC 10 leavers

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Ragnar Lothbrok and Ivar the Boneless, take the back seat in the boat and pick up an oar.

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Great article again John! Thanks! Hail to PSU President!!

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We need more like her in the college’s that know sports and appreciate them.

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It's unfortunate that Kristina Johnson, Stanford field hockey alum and former Ohio State president (and a wildly successful inventor/entrepreneur to boot), didn't make her way back to the Pac12 in time to have a seat at the table. I'm certain things would have played out differently.

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I love it John! I am a Portland State Alum and have longed for some good athletics here and not being blown off forever. Thank goodness for Ann Cudd! I had seen her on channel 8 and was impressed. Thank you for continuing the Cudd legacy.

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THAT VIDEO IS FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!

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Gawd I love this. What a breath of fresh air. My wife of 30 years is a PSU alum, has adopted my Ducks by proxy and she loves it too. Go Vikings!

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Love the faces of the players behind her!

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Women get sh-t done.

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As a son to a woman who created her own business when she came to America as a non English speaking Japanese immigrant and a brother to three highly successful professional sisters I agree!

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This absolutely made my day! What a shor in the arm for PSU athletics ! Go, Pres. Cudd, go!!

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Go Vikings!!

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Once agin, a great read...kinda' makes one's day. Cheers!

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Love this article! Nice job.

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