My First Civil War
 December 10, 2007
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 December 8, 2007 I just got back home to Corvallis, Oregon from my first ever Civil War Dual Meet. The match took place in the nostalgic McArthur Court, on the campus of the University Oregon. Oregon State, the team I coach for, won the dual 23-14. However, this dual was bitter sweet. I have heard about the Oregon State - Oregon rivalry since I first began discussing the possible coaching position with Jim Zalesky. Everyone told me how intense the rivalry was and how deep the loyalties ran. So many spoke of how hard the athletes compete, and how intensely the fans cheer. Those on both sides have expressed how intimately the match-up between the universities, depsite athletic contest, effects them. Tonight I saw a glimpse of that. The sad thing is, despite this rivalry being one of the most heated in collegiate sports, it is coming to an end. Yes, that is right the third longest wrestling rivalry at the division one level just experienced its last contest in McArthur Court. That is because, despite large financial donations form several prominent boosters in recent history (including the $100 milion given by Phile Night of Nike) wrestling is being dropped by University of Oregon Athletics. McArthur Court, the nostalgic, timeless, and historic venue is being demolished. The new, $200 plus million Arena will not house wrestling, or its contests. Instead, baseball and competitive cheer is being added by the University of Oregon Athletic Department. This is an Athletic Department headed by a man named Pat Kilkenny, who does not have an undergraduate degree. Yes, every person he is in charge of has one. Yes, every athelete at the University of Oregon is required to work towards the completion of one. Yet, he does not. How can a leader expect something from his followers that they themselves do not posses? Unfortunatley, I can not answer that question, despite my own undergraduate degree with honors, it simply dumbfounds me. So when you really examine the situation, it should not suprise you that this is happening at such a prominent and progressive instutuion like the University of Oregon. An instituion, that has lead the way in academic, athletic, and social endeavors should not be regressing, or even staying stagnant. It is though, and it is due to an ineptness of leadership. Maybe I should not say that, maybe it is unprofessional? However, this is America and freedom of speech is still protected in my constitutional rights. This leadership, has never participated at the division one level in athletics, graduated with a four year degree, or had the experience of running the day to day operations of a major athletic department at a prominent university. Sure, I may be on a soap box right now, but it kills me to see a sport that has given me so much continue to suffer due to others short-sightedness and lack of understnading. A sport that has allowed me to travel the world, make life-long friends, receive a college education, spend time with my family, find employment, etc., etc., etc. I could go on forever, and anyone who has been involved in the sport could also do so. Wrestling is the oldest sport known to man, an original olympic event, and the fastest growing high school sport in much of the nation. However, opportunities at the collegiate level are continuing to disappear. Many claim title IX, and its constraints for this. I do not. I blame those not doing everything they can to promote our great sport and save our programs. I blame those that are using title IX inappropriatley. I blame those who have the ability to step in when they can and make a difference and do not. When will this stop? When will our sport fight back? That is what wrestling is; a controlled fight. Universities like that of Oregon, that are progressive and have substantial financial backing must lead the way. They must continue to be leaders and innovators. Will they do the right thing? Will Mr. Kilkenny fix the biggest mistake he may ever make? Will the University of Oregon step in and correct their mistake? I hope so, maybe if they do and are lead by the new athletic director (the one with no degree) in this correction, others will follow. My fear is that if they do not our great sport may continue to regress and lose opportunties. This is simply unacceptable. So I guess this really goes out to those at the University of Oregon, those with the ability to truly step in and make a difference, those with the power to reverse the decision and do what is right; Save Oregon Wrestling!!!! I hope this is not my last trip to Eugene to experience the great rivalry known as the "Civil War." |
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