By Jay Jones, June 23, 2008
Last week, ESPN.com concluded releasing their selections for the “Face of the Program” feature on college football.
As noted right here on Duck Sport News, Phil Knight was named Oregon’s “Face of the Program”. And noted on Beaver Sports News, Terry Baker was selected as the “Face of the Program” for Oregon State.
Since posting those entries,several DSN and BSN visitors requested that we put together a list of all of the Pac-10 “Face of the Program” selections.
So, here you go.
Arizona: John “Button” Salmon - Salmon’s “Bear Down” is Arizona’s “Win one for the Gipper.” This one goes back a ways. When I think of Arizona football, I think of “Desert Swarm”. And I also think of a season-ending injuries at the hands of that defense.
Arizona State: Pat Tillman - Pat Tillman has transcended the sport, and become an American hero.
Cal: “The Play” - An iconic play. The downside to this is that Cal has not had a player rise to that kind of transcended level.
Oregon: Phil Knight - So, who stands out on this list? Or should I say doesn’t belong? Phil Knight has done a lot of good things for the University of Oregon. But his selection as the “Face of the Program” is a swipe at Oregon’s history, its accomplishments on the field, and Autzen Stadium. Or were they saying that Oregon really doesn’t have anything emblematic enough to be considered the “Face of the Program”?
Oregon State: Terry Baker - Good choice. Heisman Trophy winner. Although, this selection is reaching back into history pretty far.
Stanford: Jim Plunkett - Won the Heisman Trophy in 1970 over Notre Dame’s Joe Theisman. That’s good enough for me (That orange man turned me down for an autograph.).
UCLA: The Rose Bowl - An iconic venue. But Bruins’ fans think that ESPN missed the boat on this one. And I agree. Again, what does this say about their play on the field? Even though Troy Aikman started off at Oklahoma, he did his damage at UCLA, and with America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys. How ’bout them ESPN boys!
USC: Tailback U - Five Heisman Trophy winners at the tailback position. USC was named the “Face of the Program” representing the decade of the 2000s.
UW: Don James - “Dawgfather” is about right, with all the good, and bad, that implies.
WSU: Mel Hein - Talk about the way-back machine. An All-American in 1930. 1930! The Great Depression. Speakeasies. Flappers. Call me a young whipper-snapper, but “Jumping Jehosaphat”! Couldn’t they have selected Drew Bledsoe and called it good?
Hmmm…So, what “Face of the Program” doesn’t belong? I’ll give you a hint: Barry Sanders was named the “Face of the Program” for Oklahoma State, not T. Boone Pickens.
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