Yea, its official. OSU gets a whipping boy for the foreseeable future. I've commented on the possibility of the Ducks getting a baseball team before and I still think they should stick to track.
The decision making process is just weird down there.
1. They hire Kilkenny (a big money booster) to build a new basketball arena. And now they are getting themselves distracted from that by reviving a long dead baseball program. Seems like they need to concentrate on getting that arena and not confuse people about the athletic department's main goals.
In resurrecting baseball, Kilkenny cited its revenue potential for his department, both from ticket sales and concessions, along with what he termed the needed infusion of donations from supporters of the sport.
He said adding baseball at a time when Oregon is soliciting support for a new basketball arena was "purely coincidental."
Riiiight. I can't believe more Duck fans don't think this is a problem. Plus, when no one comes to the games because they suck then how exactly will it be better than wrestling which has lower costs overall? Well, there is the OSU series each year. That will make a bunch of money because the OSU fans will take over the stadium. Hey! It will be like an extra home series! (See
OSU fans invading SafeCo and Husky field for proof). There are
some with reservations.
Kilkenny said Oregon's decision to play baseball also had little to do with Oregon State's recent success in the sport. The Beavers have won two consecutive College World Series championships.
"There's too much attention given to what happened in Corvallis" in relation to "something that we were doing that is totally separate and independent," Kilkenny said.
Does anyone actually believe that. I think the second Phil Knight game Pat Casey money to stay, Oregon started the process. Just admit it! This guy clearly has a future in politics.
2. They kill the wrestling program that has actually been pretty good the last few years. Not only that, but they add varsity women's competitive cheer as a sport. What!? Is that a sport? That actually counts in these Title IX days? Let's go through that thought process.
"What can we add that will cost the least and give us more women's scholarships?"
"Well, we have a bunch of cheerleaders and dance team people. Can we get them on scholarship?"
"Great idea! We'll start a gymnastics program!"
"No, even better. Varsity Women's Competitive Cheer."
"Oh, sweet! Now what will the uniforms look like..."
Totally weak.
3. What does "Track Town, USA" think of this? Now they have competition for the spring sport dollar. Does this mark the end of championship-level track at UO? Clearly if they felt track was their sport, then they would simply focus on that.
Overall, the decision probably helps OSU more than it hurts us for the next 10-15 years. We will get to beat up on UO 3-6 just like UP. It can only help our RPI in the future to beat another Pac-10 team (well, maybe not the first few years....or more).
Also, we have already started recruiting the entire west coast and soon maybe even nationally. This year we signed many of the best kids from Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Washington. And we will still get the best Oregon kids for many years to come.
Its going to be a very tough road for Oregon to even get to respectability in the Pac-10. UC Irvine is a special case. Their location helps them soooo much. We are at a disadvantage in the NW. Oregon can't simply market their way to the top.
In the end, as a Beaver fan, I say bring it on. I can't wait to sweep the Ducks for the next 15 years. That will be awesome.
