I think we know each others cases regarding our game. Probably said enough until camps open. So, I'd like to reveal some things about Univ. of Oregon that I think are interesting, and I would love to hear similarly about LSU. Early info is vague and sometimes conflicting, this is what I've found, feel free to correct Oregon became a state in 1859 U of O established in 1872 The term "Civil War" Oregon vs Oregon St. was coined in the 1920's First played in 1894, after 114 games the Ducks lead 58-46-10 Oregon's first team name was, The Lemon Yellows, (first referenced in 1917) When Oregon won the very first NCAA basketball championship in 1939 they were officially the "Tall Firs" It rains a lot in Oregon, a local is sometimes referred to as a "webfoot". A drainage canal system in Eugene known as the millrace, is populated by many ducks. During the 1920's, on gameday Oregon fans would parade to the millrace, capture a duck, escort it to the stadium, display it on the sideline, and then release it after the game. Eventually the game day duck was called, "Puddles". Though still officially the "Tall Firs", Oregon teams were more often called, the Ducks In 1947 a handshake deal between the UO AD and Walt Disney, made Donald Duck the official Oregon mascot, and also at that time, "Oregon Ducks" became the official team name. Relations between Disney corp. and Oregon, became contentious, over who had marketing rights to Oregon's Donald Duck Logo. Disney also claimed they controlled the Ducks costumed mascot. This arguing went on for over 60 years. Two years ago the matter was finally resolved. Disney stated, that the costumed mascot was not "Donald Duck", and they relinquished all rights. Officially known as "the Duck" a lot of Oregon fans call him "Puddles" Freed from Disney, Puddles is now able to be on commercials, and has become much more visible nationally. Donald Duck is still the official team logo, but you don't see it much anymore because; Puddles has become a superstar!
LSU was founded in 1860 as the state military academy and its first President was William Tecumseh Sherman. When the Wahr broke out in 1861, the faculty and students resigned and joined the confederacy. Sherman resigned and joined the union where he became the second-ranking Union general of the war and marched through Georgia, breaking the back of the Confederacy. To this day, there remains no hall, street, monument or statue on campus to commemorate its first President. Often known as "The Ole War School", LSU remained a military school until 1969 when mandatory ROTC was dropped. LSU provided more officers to WWII than any college except for West Point and Texas A & M. The mascot is the Tiger. It was named after the 1st Louisiana Battalion called the Louisiana Tigers by the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia. All Louisiana troops in Lees army became known as Louisiana Tigers. The school colors of Purple and Gold resulted from the first game being played against Tulane. There was plenty of bunting and decorations from Mardi Gras whose traditional colors are purple gold, green, and white. LSU took purple and gold, Tulane took green and white. The "new" campus was built in 1924 south of Baton Rouge and the first building constructed was Tiger Stadium. LSU has a comic tiger mascot in a fuzzy suit, like most schools, but the real mascot is Mike VI, the live Bengal Tiger who lives in a million-dollar habitat between Tiger Stadium and Maravich Center. He attends games in his own trailer, parked right outside the visitors dressing room. LSU's best-known graduates are Hubert Humphrey, Joann Woodward, Shaquille O'Neal, General Claire Chenault, and political pundits James Carville and Donna Bazile.
.....As the egg slowly cracked, the anticipation rose. Then, out came what looked like an alien. It was actually the new sidekick/brother to Oregon's original mascot Donald. Some called it Duck Vader, some called it Mandrake, most called it Roboduck, others called it the stupidest thing Oregon has ever done....... Boo'd out of the stadium never to be seen again.
A few years ago, for some insane reason, LSU added a second comic mascot on the field as well as the traditional costumed Mike the Tiger. It was an inflatable balloon thing 9 feet tall named "Ellis Hugh" with a human inside. Ellis Hugh, get it? It not only looked ridiculous with arms that didn't move, but it must have been unbearably hot inside that thing in the hot Louisiana weather. It disappeared without a word after the season. It was not missed.
Other than being the destination and camp of Lewis and Clark, the State of Oregon's early history has little to be proud of. Created in 1859 as a "whites only" state, Oregon residents devastated the indigenous population. West of the Cascades, their population was reduced by 85% within 20 years of statehood. I live about a hundred miles from Eugene, on the Eastern side of the Cascade Mountain Range, site of the Klamath Indian Reservation. Just south, is the battlefield, where the last American Indian war was fought. It's a real interesting story, Google; "The Modoc Indian War", or "Captain Jack's stronghold" Red55 mentioned Shaquille O'Neal in a post. I feel compelled to mention that I've been a giant Shaquille fan since his college days. And this is coming from a Trail Blazer fan, who watched him lead his team back from a 23 point 4th quarter deficit, during the 7th game of the Western Conference Championships. I think he is one of the top 4, all time great big men. Mostly though, I admire his personality, I miss him already. Go Ducks
Good post Red! Just a few points though: Sherman is recognized for donating the cannons to LSU, from among those that fired on Ft. Sumter. The Tiger emblem actually predates the Civil War: The reason Louisiana troops became known as "Tigers" is in part explained by the fact that members of The Washington Artillery, who were a significant part of the Louisiana troops sent to Virginia and were probably the most professional and highly trained of that contingent, were already parading around with Tiger emblems. The other reason is said to be because Louisiana troops "fought like Tigers". :geaux:
Well, I suppose a 9 by 12 inch plaque noting Sherman own donation could be considered a monument. :grin: The well cared-for 3.8-inch James rifles are uncommon field pieces. They may have come from Charleston but are unlikely to have actually been used to fire on Fort Sumpter since Blakeleys were the only rifled artillery known to have been on hand and the 14-pound projectile is far too light for siege work. They are pretty cool though.
