Sound Off.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Ducks show class

In the aftermath of last week's blowout against Washington State, a certain columnist for a certain Oregon newspaper publicly chastised and ridiculed members of the Oregon Ducks for sticking around on the field to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

The reporter in question made it abundantly clear that he thought they should have shouted at one another while "stomping" off to the locker room in a fit of anger and shame.

I find it deeply disturbing that an article advocating such behavior would even be published by a mainstream newspaper in the first place. But perhaps a more important question is why the Ducks remained on the field after the game.

Two weeks earlier, I had gone to see an Oregon game for the first time since I graduated from there in the 1980s. Nevada had come to town, and that game ended with an Oregon victory. It seems as if things are done a bit differently now than during those years when I was a student.

For one thing, right after the game members of both the Oregon and Nevada teams huddled together at midfield and joined each other in a post-game prayer. Soon after that, the gates were opened so that fans could go onto the field.

To my surprise some of the Oregon players remained, which I thought might have been a bit dangerous.

It appears as if the Ducks have been asked to remain on the field for the sake of public relations, to sign autographs for those hundreds if not thousands of kids who look up to them as their biggest heroes and role models.

The Ducks were all patient, polite and so very gracious to every child I saw them attend to. Never have I been more impressed with any group of adult athletes in my entire life.

Thank goodness that the Ducks are giving back to the community that supports them so enthusiastically.

The dignity and class they showed those kids should give any true Oregon supporter much cause for pride, in a way that has and should have nothing to do with the final score.

MARK GRANT

Vancouver, B.C.

`O' should go

Mike Bellotti ought to strip the "O" from the helmets for the next game or two. Until they can find a way to stash their egos in their plush lockers for four quarters and play football with the focus, smarts and desire - for all four quarters - they don't deserve to wear that mark of distinction.

It is clear to me that this team is not mature enough to be told that they are among the nation's best teams. They cannot handle the hype, media coverage or the national spotlight - goes straight to their heads.

The Ducks are lacking the leadership from key players necessary to take the team to the level they have the talent to reach. Joey Harrington brought that leadership when he was at the helm, and the Ducks almost always responded to it. In the absence of leadership, individual egos have taken over.

Judging by the lighthearted chuckling from the players and even Bellotti (as described in the Sept. 28 Oregonian) in interviews following what may be the most embarrassing performance in Duck history, potentially throwing away the Rose Bowl and a national championship all in one game wasn't serious enough to them. No one else in the state was laughing.

TREVOR DURHAM

Pullman, Wash.

Stuck on Michigan

On Saturday, before the game started, I could sense something was awry.

It was as if being there the week prior and witnessing the most exciting game ever at Autzen had taken the wind out of our sails.

When Oregon beat Michigan, I was so physically and mentally exhausted that when I arrived for last Saturday's game, I don't think I had anything else to give.

Even though it was a week later, it seemed like the day before that we beat Michigan. If, as a fan, I was feeling that way, I cannot imagine how the players must have felt.

The hangover from the elation the week prior was just too much to handle; for them and for us. It's just too bad that their schedule didn't allow a week off. I think the only thing that could have saved them was one more week to deal with the euphoria and get their heads together.

MELANIE DAWSON

Eugene

Broadcasting bias

After witnessing the Cougar domination of the Ducks, I wanted to continue my celebration by watching it on KEZI's rebroadcast. My elation was somewhat tempered by KEZI sports director Joe Giansante, who has no understanding of fair and balanced broadcasting.

With two minutes left in the game and WSU crushing Oregon 55-16, he said, "Washington State's good, but they're not that good." Astounding - what does that make the formerly 10th-ranked Ducks?

Giansante also said, "(Pullman's) not anywhere you'd want to go." He is disrespectful and seems to speak without having a clue or any class.

Joe, a word of advice from a WSU communications graduate, the same school that produced the great Edward R. Murrow. Give credit to the opponent where credit is due. Extreme bias is not the job of a broadcaster.

EDWARD GERKEY

Sacramento

Cut the noise

Last year in Pullman, the Duck game was the last WSU home game where the plastic tube noisemakers were allowed. This year the big deal was to create as much noise as possible.

To accomplish that end, a plastic whistle was used by a large number of "fans." Before they left at halftime, I was hoping the guy in front of us would swallow the obnoxious thing.

The conference should also ban these artificial devices. We can all see that they were very effective in holding the Cougs to only 55 points.

WAYNE DUNNING

Eugene

Fond farewell

Six years ago I came to Eugene from Syracuse and now, in the irony of ironies, I am going back.

As some of you may have noticed, I left KEZI at the end of July when my contract was not renewed.

While I was disappointed with the decision, I am thankful for the opportunities I've been given and the many memories and friends I've made along the way.

From Vegas to Fiesta, NIT to Elite 8, I've been privileged to cover the emergence of UO athletics and form relationships with the finest group of coaches and players I've ever met.

A huge thanks to all of them for their honesty and humility.

I also want to thank this community for embracing and supporting both me and my family, which has doubled in size since our arrival. Eugene happens to be my middle name, but it will also be a permanent part of all four of us as we begin a new chapter back East.

MARK LARSON AND FAMILY

Syracuse, N.Y.

Cool doesn't win games

Admittedly, the Ducks are rich and cool - now if they could just play football.

BUCK BAILEY

Creswell

The Register-Guard sports department welcomes letters on all sporting topics. Our length limit is 250 words; all letters are subject to condensation. Writers are limited to one letter per calendar month. Because of the volume of mail, not all letters can be printed. Letters must be signed with the writer's full name. An address and daytime telephone number are needed for verification purposes; this information will not be published or released.

Mail letters to: Sound Off, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188

Fax: [phone]