Maui Invitational Watch Party

The Pit Crew will be hosting a Maui Invitational watch party on campus, open to all students, on November 24th. It's being sponsored by EA Sports and will begin at 8:00. in the Ben Linder room, downstairs at the EMU. We will have consoles set-up for students to demo the new NCAA Basketball video game, in addition to copies of the game to give away.

Additionally, we will provide free Mountain Dew AMP energy drinks for any student who attends and will have EA Sports gear to give away. See everyone there.

Who: All Pit Crew members and students
What: Maui Invitational Watch Party
Where: EMU Ben Linder Room
When: Starts at 8:00 PM, goes until the Ducks win!

AZ Game Football Recruits

We've heard there will be a total of 8 football recruits visiting this weekend. The following are who we've heard will be here:

LB - Boseko Lokombo
CB - Vachel Samuels
SAF - Terrence Brown
DL - Jackson Powell
OT - Michael Phillip
QB - Keith Price
OT - Charles Siddoway
WR- Bryce McNeal

GET YOUR SIGNS AND CHANTS READY EARLY! We heard all the visitors last weekend had a great time and the highlight of their trip was interacting with students. Lets do it again this weekend! There will also be a giveaway for students at the game so be sure to come early.

Meeting Reminder

Our second Pit Crew Leadership meeting of the year will be this evening, Monday November 10. We will be discussing cheer's/chant's for the season, ideas fo the next 2 home games, shirt distribution, website content and an opportunity to help set stuff up for the football game this weekend.

Meeting is at 6:00 in the EMU Fishbowl and all students are invited to attend.

Final FB Weekend Recruiting List/Track Visitor

Hey Everyone,

The following players will be making visits to the University this weekend. Like we've been saying all week: make signs, start chants, encourage the recruits to come up to the student section and take pictures! Lets make sure these guys realize how much we want them to be Ducks!

Jaz Reynolds
Bryce Brown
Montrell Conner
Boseko Lokombo
Craig Loston

Charles Siddoway (Unofficial)
Curtis White (Committed and Unofficial)
Get your stuff made this afternoon and if you have facebook, this event showed up yesterday.

Also Jordan Hasay, the teenage runner who broke the national high school record for 1500m at the Olympic Trials this summer, will be visiting this weekend. She would be a HUGE addition to the track team, so root for her as well! Thanks to the Oregon Rivals.com site for sharing the news.

Next Pit Crew Leadership Meeting

Our next Leadership meeting will be Monday November 10th, at 6:00 in the EMU Fishbowl. We will be discussing chants for games this year, clearing up shirt distribution rumors, and preparing for the first 2 games of the season.

All students are invited to attend. Please come prepared and with new ideas so we can be efficient. It doesn't have to be a chant, we encourage you to come share any kind of tradition you think would be a positive addition to the Pit Crew and/or Mac Court.

Football vs. Cal @ Hayward!

The ASUO has arranged a watch party for the Oregon vs. Cal football game this Saturday, to take place at Hayward field. The event will begin at 11:30 and last until the end of the football game. A food drive will also be taking place at the event and a donation of two cans will earn you a raffle ticket. Items to be raffled off include Duck Store gift cards, iPods, computers, and food certificates. The Pit Crew will also be giving away items at our table so look for the Pit Crew banner!

Food will also be provided to students, so come enjoy the game at Hayward Field this Saturday!

Revised Ticketing a "longshot" for this season

Over the past week, we've been trying to have the electronic ticketing system modified for basketball season. The proposal was to allow Pit Crew members, who attained a shirt and went through a traditions/chants orientation, to be placed in a separate classification. The new classification would allow them access to tickets before they became available to every student. As shirts were handed out, student ID's would be scanned and used to place students in the new group. It would only take a fraction of the tickets while making it easier for students, who were willing to sacrifice their time and get a shirt, to secure tickets to basketball games. Roughly half of the total ticket amount would remain for any student wanting to attend a basketball game.

The problem is the Pit Crew doesn't control shirt distribution and the ticketing contract was signed last year. The contracts can be modified, yet doing so in time for basketball season is unlikely. It's definitely something we are going to pursue for next season to reward students, who in the past have attended every game, who dislike the current system because they are unable to get tickets.

As for shirt distribution, the article in the Emerald yesterday wasn't entirely correct (although most of it was accurate.) The ticket office didn't make a mistake; rather, they were told to send out an email pre-maturely. The ticket office has been unfairly blamed by students, all year, when it's not their fault at all. The ticketing contract was drafted by the ACFC and approved by the ticket office. They are BOUND to follow the contract; however, are willing to modify it in the future to improve the system.

As for shirt distribution, I was not involved in the discussion to approve the system laid out in that email, do not agree with the means to distribute shirts laid out in the plan and am working for a better solution. I'm against letting computers decide who gets a Pit Crew shirt, when in the past students have been able to control their own destiny. Furthermore, distributing them mid-season and on December 7th (day before Final's week starts) doesn't work for most students. I believe we'll be able develop an appropriate solution to distribute this years shirts; but, I can't promise it.

Take care,

Daniel Cogan
Pit Crew President 07-09

Oregon Hyperdunks

The NIKE Oregon Hyperdunks will be released at the new Eugene NIKE store this Saturday at 10:00 AM. They will retail for $125 and the store received roughly 36 pairs. Unfortunately, Pit Crew members will not be able to get in the store early to purchase the shoes, but at least you will have access to them. Picture's of the shoes can be found a few posts below.

Pit Crew Shirt Distribution Not Yet Finalized

Hey Everyone,

There was an email sent out by the University of Oregon ticket office, regarding shirt distribution, that was incorrect. The method of distribution has not been finalized and the plan laid out in that email is not endorsed by the Pit Crew. We didn't agree to it, nor did we have input in the decision process.

We are actively working with the ASUO to provide a better solution to online ticketing for basketball season. We realize the system is not working as anticipated and there are problems with how tickets are being allocated for Football. With roughly 1/3 as many basketball tickets made available to students, we are working on a better way to allocate tickets to Pit Crew members. A final plan will be released next week and we anticipate it being a significantly better system than what everyone has dealt with during football.

I do not believe online ticketing is a bad way to give out tickets but, adjustments must be made to improve the allocation process. I'm confident we can introduce a better system for ticketing, as well as shirt distribution, and will keep students updated accordingly. Sorry for the confusion!

Take care,
Daniel Cogan
Pit Crew President 07-09

Watch Party for Football vs. Cal

The University will be holding a watch party at Hayward Field for the football game vs. California on November 1st. The cheerleaders, in addition to other athletes will be there handing out free items to students who attend. Additionally, there will be a can food drive to benefit a local organization and any student who brings at least 2 cans of food will get entered into a raffle for prizes. Prizes will include: iPods, shirts, gift cards, textbooks, and even a computer. More information will be coming soon, but put this on your calendar now as it's sure to be a great event.

Admission is free for all University students and the Pit Crew will be giving away items as well. Also, the date for this years shirt distribution will be announced at the watch party. The game begins at 12:30 and there will be food for students at a concession area inside Hayward.

First 08-09 Pit Crew Meeting

Our first Pit Crew meeting of the year will be Sunday October 19th, at 6:00 in the EMU Fishbowl. We'll go over plans for the year, shirt distribution, new campus initiatives, and talk about opportunities coming up for members to get more involved.

All students are welcome to come and contribute. It's a good opportunity for students, especially younger students, to get involved with an influential group on campus. If you have any questions, feel free to check the message board to see if it's already been answered or email the group. We can be reached at pitcrew1@uoregon.edu.

Go Ducks,
Daniel Cogan
Pit Crew President 07-09

One More Football Visitor

One more football recruit will be visiting Oregon this weekend. Anthony Leon, a Safety from College of the Sequoias in Vasalia, CA will be making the trip to Eugene for tomorrow night's game. Leon, originally from Florida, signed with Florida State out of high school but was forced to leave the school last year.

At 6'3'' 230, he's been compared to Sean Taylor for years (they were cousins and went to the same school) and many of his past coaches have said he'll also play in the NFL eventually. He has an official scholarship offer, will be on campus this weekend, and at the game tomorrow night.

He could likely start immediately next year, at any of the three linebacker positions or Safety.

Homecoming Info/Weekend Football Recruits

There will be a homecoming parade and pep rally at the Protest Pit, on the corner of 13th and University by the EMU, at 5:30 Friday afternoon. Afterward, the #7 ranked Oregon Volleyball team will be playing at Mac Court. Admission is free and should be packed with students!

For the football game Saturday night, for those who secured tickets, ALL STUDENTS are encouraged to wear YELLOW.

Also, there will be 7 football recruits on official visits this weekend. There may be one more added later this week, so check back on Friday to get the full list. Make signs, start chants, make these guys feel welcome at the game! Travis Hawkins, in particular, is coming all the way from Maryland to visit so lets make sure to leave an impression. There may be one or two more guys added, but here's the current list:

Jeremiah Sirles (Official)
Alex Logan (Official)
Travis Hawkins (Official)
Everett Benyard (Official)
Avery Patterson (Official and already committed)
Myles Wade (Official and already committed)
Anthony Anderson (Official and already committed)
Charles Siddoway (Unofficial)
Taylor Hart (Unofficial)
Curtis White (Unofficial)

Warsaw Sports Business Club

The first Warsaw Sports Business Club meeting will be this Wednesday, October 8th at 6:00 in Lillis 211. The purpose of the club is to provide a platform for undergraduate students to gain insight, experience and opportunities in the field of sports business through guest speakers, experiential learning, club meetings, leadership and networking.

It is open to all students, in all majors. Past speakers have included Pat Kilkenny, Chris Miller representatives from NIKE, adidas, the Portland Trailblazers, the Oregon Athletic Department, ESPN and the USGA. The membership cost is $45 and covers the cost of trips, meetings, and networking activities.

Past trips have included meetings with executives and tours of the: Seattle Mariners, Portland Trailblazers, Portland Lumberjax, and NIKE. To learn more, contact Club Advisor Whitney Wagoner (wrw@uoregon.edu) or VP, Membership & Digital Communications Director Steven Strand (sstrand@uoregon.edu).

Nearly all sports related industry internships, which run through the University of Oregon, are emailed to club members as soon as they become available. If you aspire to someday work in the athletics industry, in some capacity, this club is extremely valuable to have been involved with.

Sports Business Club Meeting
Date: October 8
Time: 6:00
Place: Lillis 211

Pit Crew Leadership Meetings

Hey everyone,

We will be having our first Pit Crew Leadership meeting during week three. The night hasn't been decided but, if you would like to provide input, please vote on the message board for the night that would be easiest for you to attend.

Meetings are open to any student and members are invited to attend and contribute to what we do on campus. We're always looking for new ideas and would like more students, especially younger students, to get involved. If you have any questions, post them on the message board and either myself or another student will answer them.

Get NIKE Oregon Hyperdunks

This is a shoe called the Oregon NIKE Hyperdunk that was manufactured specifically for the University of Oregon. Only 100 pairs were made and Pit Crew members will have the first opportunity to get a pair. The exact price is still unknown, but I suspect it will be around $100. It is a similar show to what was worn by the United States Olympic basketball team this summer.

If you're interested in getting a pair, please post your name and shoe size on the Pit Crew message board and we'll get information to you as we get more. These will be released sometime in the next month and will only be made available here in Eugene. Just another perk of being a Pit Crew member and University of Oregon student. Go Ducks!

Help choose the next UO President

The Chancellor of the Oregon University System will seek input from students, faculty and staff on Tuesday September 30th at 3:30 in the Gumwood Room in the EMU. Anyone interested in providing input is encouraged to attend. According to the press release, student input is vital in choosing the next UO President.

Free Movie Tickets on Campus (Sept. 29th)

Free tickets to the new movie "The Express," will be given away on campus Monday the 29th of September (tomorrow.) Tickets will be available for pick-up in the Daily Emerald office in the EMU, which is on the second level of the EMU, starting tomorrow. There will be an ad in tomorrow's paper as well to remind students about this opportunity. Go early, because free items on campus rarely last long. This is an early screening just for University students, and will be sold out, so be sure to go early if you want good seats.

Here's a description of the movie:
In America in the late 1950s and early ’60s, one young man became a symbol for a country grappling to move past its long-held views of people of color. His unprecedented journey unfolded as he shattered not only sports records, but also perceptions of what was possible for an African-American at the time. His name was Ernie Davis, but fans knew him better as “The Elmira Express.”

This film is a tribute to his courage.

Based on a true story, The Express follows the extraordinary life of college football hero Ernie Davis (ROB BROWN of Finding Forrester, Coach Carter). His quiet fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of the game, and his civil rights story continues to inspire new generations.

Events September 24-28

The following are events which we know will be taking place on campus between September 24-29. This will be updated throughout the week so keep checking back. If you are aware of an event, which you think students would enjoy knowing about, please send an email to pitcrew1@uoregon.edu and we'll spread the word.

InterMingle @ the EMU: Friday, September 26, Starts at 5:00 p.m.

All students are invited to the UO's annual InterMingle where students connect and reconnect with each other. This year's theme "Baby Got Quack" includes a So You Think You Can Dance competition, mechanical bull, rock wall, tie dye, pool, henna tattoos, a casino, karaoke, live music in the amphitheater, fire dancers, laser tag, video games, prizes, free food, and other giveaways. In the past, many fraternities and sororities have also had representatives available to answer students questions.

University Convocation @ McArthur Court: Sunday, September 28, 3:30 p.m.


Steven Pinker, a celebrated cognitive scientist, will be giving this year's convocation address (a speech to open the school year). Currently the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, Pinker will take you on a journey into the human mind to understand what makes us tick. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. with a free meal to follow afterward on the lawn closest to Gerlinger Hall. The meal is usually OK...

Info for Purdue Visitors

Just some notes for students traveling out to Purdue for this weekend’s football game. For those of you old enough and interested in going to campus bars, the places do so I’m told are: Harry’s Chocolate Shop, Where Else?, Jake’s, and Brothers. Harry's doesn't serve chocolate, but does serve plenty of other food and alcohol. Purdue students get dressed up in costumes and start hitting the bars before 7:00. They call their tradition "The Breakfast Club,”so get there early if you plan on taking part in the experience and pack a costume!

If you’re not old enough to get in or don’t plan on going to a bar, campus sites of interest include the Engineering Fountain and the burial site of John Purdue, the University’s founder. The fountain, specifically, sounds like a pretty big deal. The best places to eat are Triple XXX which is open 24 hours, and Harry’s Chocolate Shop. I’ve also heard good things about Mad Mushroom Pizza and the BoilerMarket.

The place to tailgate is “Slayter Hill.” The band plays a concert prior to game time and students slide down the hill on couches and other pieces of living room furniture when it snows. The last forecast I saw was for rain and isolated thunderstorms, so I’m not sure how much sliding will be going on, but you never know? After the concert, the band marches to the stadium.

If you’re not in your seat before the game starts, you’ll miss the Pre-game show by the band and the Golden Girl (their twirler). Supposedly the band usually puts on a pretty good performance. Hope this information helps and I’ll see everyone in West LaFayette.

Let’s hope for a great game and another BIG Duck WIN!

Special thanks to former Purdue Undergraduate student and current Oregon graduate student Cassandra Gray, for providing such detailed information. Go Ducks!