For the last eight years of my life I have undergone an identity crisis. And I don’t think I’ve been the only one.
In our day and age, growing up in one town and moving to another for college is not uncommon. Every year more and more people venture outside of their home states only to experience the doubt, guilt and confusion that I have learned to live with for the past eight years.
I was born a Duck fan in Eugene, Oregon in 1982. I attended my first Oregon scrimmage when I was just a few weeks old. I went to every home football game as a child and a teenager. I attended any and every sport camp the University put on in the summer and now I even have family that are employed under the great banner of green and yellow. But in 2004, I graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles with a Trojan degree and four years of USC vs. Oregon match-up stress. It was the same debate every year… Do I pull out my yellow duck lips necklace that I’ve had since I was a kid and loudly blow a ‘quack’ for all to hear? Or do I raise my Victory ‘V’ in honor of the school that was providing me with a quality education and welcoming me into the infamous, (albeit slightly over-emphasized) “Trojan Family”?
The choice seems like an insignificant one to most, but not to me. The decision where to place my loyalty weighed on me every football season. There is something instilled in your being when you grow up in a college town like Eugene. Something special and rare. But Los Angeles puts on quite a shiny show for its Trojan occupants and I can’t say I haven’t been blinded by the lights and tempted to convert on more than one occasion.
It wasn’t until recently that these two very different sides of my existence finally met in peace in a place I call Los Eugene. A place where a born and bred Duck fan can be a USC season ticket holder and drive to the games in a car with an Oregon Ducks license plate. A place where I can wear a green and gold shirt that says USC across the front and be slightly pleased with the strange looks I receive while walking around the stadium. A place where I can quack for the Ducks, for my hometown, for the team that taught me to love the game… and at the same time sing along to one of the most played fight songs in college history. Because in Los Eugene, sports fans are encouraged to be passionate about where they came from and excited about where they are.
I grew up a Duck.
I graduated a Trojan.
I couldn’t be more proud.
MJ, Contributor
Tags: Ducks, Los Eugene, oregon, Trojans, USC
George Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:43 am
MJ,
I completely understand your dilemma. Except, I grew up in Los Angeles and went to the U of O. I guess in my case, I live in Eugeneles.
Fight on to Victory, Ducks?
George
Steve Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:15 am
Dude, you need a shrink.
“There is something instilled in your being when you grow up in a college town like Eugene.”
“But Los Angeles puts on quite a shiny show for its Trojan occupants…”
Pretty much says it all. The Duck instillation exists at the core of your being. The glitz of SoCal is just window dressing and shallow.
You never did say who you’re rooting for. That’s just chicken. And what about basketball season? I think you’re confused and have given in to dual loyalties which is impossible, at least once during the year. My gut feeling is if you could root for only one, you’d be pulling for the Ducks.
Chris Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:36 am
The choice seems easy to me:
Vain, Elitist Prick or Duck Fan?
Make the right decision MJ
BleedGreen&Yellow Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:00 am
You’re not a Duck fan if you wonder whether or not to root for the Ducks.
Duck Pride Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:15 am
I grew up in Eugene, went to the U of O for the first two years of my undergrad, then transferred into Beaverland. Got my undergrad and masters from OSU. I tried for a while to say that “I root for the Beavs when they’re not playing the Ducks”. Truth is, it’s impossible. You can’t root for both. Loyalty divided is being disloyal to both. Pick a side and forget the other. I will always be a Duck and tossing aside false loyalty to OSU has been extremely liberating. Give it a try. You’ll be happier.
Dane Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:56 am
I think Jesus said it best:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve Oregon and USC.
admin Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Chris & Steve -
Are you sure MJ is a dude? I wouldn’t be so sure.
JJ
Duck54 Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I too grew up in Los Angeles, and everybody in my family who went to college went to USC. For some strange reason, I picked U of O, and it was the best decision I ever made. Divided Loyalty? No Way. The only school I detest more than the University for Spoiled Children is UW, but that is, of course, another story. The 8 million people who live in LA love it there; let them have it. Let USC have a long (safe and smooth) sad plane ride back home on Saturday night. Oregon 32 USC 27
kramer Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:03 pm
dude or not, I agree, let’s get with the program. Jesus was right, you can’t root for both USC and Oregon.
MJ, much like Abraham, you’ll have to sacrifice one of them (or not).
At any rate, I’ll meet you in the parking lot for some beer at halftime….
JTT Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
If we’re going to go Bibilical, I think I need to remind everyone of Genesis 1:1: “In the big inning…”.
The Trinity is a baseball fan. Not football.
Go Sox!
Nate in Albany... Says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:21 pm
How can you be both a Duck and SC fan?
I didn’t have Parents or Family who were into sports, I had to find things out for myself… As a kid I was proud of anything that was the State of Oregon. Whether it was Pokey Allen and PSU or the TrailBalzers, or the Ducks or even OSewe.
As I got older, I realized more and more that I liked the UO. Sure, I rooted for OSU when they weren’t playing the Ducks. But that just DID NOT work… I found out I was a DUCK.
I Live and Die, UO. I guess I understand how the little ol’ lady is a fence sitter. But how can you, MJ, be born and raised in Eugene as a Duck, AND be an SC fan too???
I seriously question your Duck fandom. Being a Duck is special. Anyone can join the Million’s and like SC, jump on the Bandwagon! It’s easy being a front runner. But being a Duck is for life! It’s a way of life, a bond. It’s an “Us against World ” attitude that I wouldn’t trade for ANYTHING!!!
I fly my Duck Flag at home with Pride, I couldn’t imagine anything else… There are no former Ducks!
GO FIGHTING DUCKS!!!
DKELLY Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 7:48 am
I’M A TROJAN ALUM, MY SON GRADUATED FROM UO IN ‘04. IT’S TOUGH ROOTING FOR BOTH, BUT ON SATURDAY, GO DUCKS.
admin Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 8:51 am
MJ has nothing on The SI College Football Tour Guide!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/sioncampus
Dan “The Man” Rubenstein is a flippin’ Oregon grad and he’s wearing a purple “Locker Stalker” t-shirt.
That’s just not right.
MJ, I think you might be off the hook.
JJ