Posted: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 12:00 am
The 65-38 final score at the end of the 112th meeting between the Oregon State University Beavers and the University of Oregon Ducks at Reser Stadium wasn't the only thing that was embarrassing Saturday.
On behalf of all of the majority of civil and sportsmanlike citizens of Beaver Nation, we apologize to the University of Oregon's football team, marching band and fans for the despicable conduct of those fans whose behavior disgraced the orange and black.
In the record crowd of 46,319, what surely also approached a record - 87 people - were thrown out of Reser, mostly for drunken hooliganism. We don't have a problem with people of legal age responsibly consuming alcohol. But we expect them to hold their liquor and their temper; to keep a civil tongue and a cool head.
We're not only talking about the people who greeted the Ducks' football team with booing - a lamentable practice that seems not to be in the Beavers' best interest. (Consider this -. wouldn't greeting the Ducks with cheers and welcome be more effective a way to confuse and disarm the opposing team? Wouldn't it just drive them nuts?)
Instead, the incessant booing, foul language and shouting matches was conduct unbecoming citizens of Beaver Nation. It targeted even the members of the UO marching band.
We think the 19-year-old student who threw white paint on the Ducks' marching band just before it took the field should formally apologize and pay for replacing or cleaning the damaged uniform(s). We're sorry that the crowd did not welcome the UO band with even polite applause.
And shame on the people who shouted obscenities within earshot of young children when they disagreed with the referees' calls.
Shame on us for what we're setting our own team up for when they enter Autzen Stadium next year.
Some people say this is just the way it is now at football games. If that's so, then let's be the ones who initiate a change.
We propose that the Beavers give the Ducks a hearty welcome in 2010 with cheers, not jeers. No more inappropriate booing the band and players when they take the field.
Expressing displeasure in this way at bad calls and unnecessary roughness is part of the game, but the opposing team, its band and fans and cheerleaders deserve our best behavior when they arrive at our house. They are invited, after all, and it wouldn't be much of a game without them.
And if some boo in place of a civil greeting, that should serve as a signal to the Dam Cam crew and OSU cheerleaders to lead the crowd in chanting "Beaver Nation says Welcome to Reser!"
In victory or defeat, the Beaver football players are winners. We fans all should behave accordingly - and keep our fingers crossed for UCLA to win on Saturday.