Gazette-Times Reporter

Kyle Bjornstad enjoys every aspect of his life, so living through the latest Oregon State men's basketball season has been a joy.

How the rest of the games play out are just icing on the senior's cake.

One game, however, takes on greater importance. It's Sunday night's Civil War in Eugene.

"That has the potential with the way things are panning out to be the greatest day of my life," Bjornstad said. "That's how big that game is for me. In front of friends and family who have given me a lot of hard times over the years, that's setting itself up to be the big one."

Bjornstad is a Eugene native with deep ties to the city, and his family members are staunch supporters of the Ducks. His grandfather was Eugene's mayor and his father works at the University of Oregon.

So a win by the rising Beavers over the struggling Ducks would be vindication for him.

Bjornstad graduated from Marist High and played two seasons at Northwest Christian College in Eugene before transferring to OSU three years ago. He has been the black sheep, wanting to play for the Beavers since childhood.

"I have no idea why that is," Bjornstad said. "I've always gone against the grain. That's always made it more fun. I can't say why, it has always been that way."

So he did something about his OSU love before he would regret it for the rest of his life.

"That's exactly why I transferred," Bjornstad said. "It was a life-long dream to play at Oregon State, so I might as well go try."

Bjornstad walked on and earned a scholarship this season. It was a long process; ex-coach Jay John allowed him to be on the scout team to help prepare his team, but not to be part of the team at first.

That was a redshirt season. Right before last season John added him to the roster.

After enduring the difficult season with his teammates, Bjornstad evolved into the team's best leader, even though he played only four minutes a junior and six this season.

"That's a funny thing to say about a (former) walk-on who doesn't play at all," coach Craig Robinson said of Bjornstad being a good leader. But he's an informal leader, being vocal, has credibility, is good in class and good civically. He has been a great help for me and this staff in turning this program around."

Bjornstad is one of the most visible players on the court when it comes to celebrating with his team, and pumping up his teammates up when the game is going badly.

"I think it is my personality," Bjornstad said. "I'm the one to take the initiative to get guys going, and not just in basketball. I just like to do things the right way. You have to go about everything 100 percent, and that's just the way I am."

A classic Bjornstad story is after the Beavers defeated California for the first time this season, he ran into the locker room while the celebration was going on to write on the chalkboard a message to stay focused and to beat Stanford in the next game.

Robinson was impressed with Bjornstad's view of the big picture because that's what he was going to tell the team. It made a big impact on the players because one of their own did it, and they went on to win the next game.

"A lot of people made a big deal about that beat Stanford thing I wrote," Bjornstad said. "When I wrote that, I wasn't thinking I would get that attention. I was thinking we can't be satisfied just because everyone outside the program is happy with a road win. We can win another one. That was the only thing going through my head."

Bjornstad's motivation comes from this being his last season, and he wants to make the most of the games. He wants to do what he can so the team plays for as long as possible in the postseason.

And that means getting his teammates ready and focused each game.

"Everyone is talking about how coach has done a great job building for the future, but for me, Joey (McConnell) and Rickey (Claitt), why not now?" Bjornstad said of the seniors. "I want the best for everyone here."

Robinson likes that about Bjornstad, and follows his line of thinking. Now that the Beavers have surpassed everything anyone could imagine they all want more.

And a win by the Beavers in Eugene for the first time since the 1992-93 season would make this the best season possible for Bjornstad. So expect him to be working extra hard in practice this week so his teammates are ready.

"He's trying to soak in every minute of this season," Robinson said. "He is really living it to the fullest."