Oregon State, Oregon agree not to use the term 'Civil War' for its sports rivalry games
Source: The Oregonian
The annual football game between the Ducks and Beavers has been referred to as the Civil War for nearly 90 years, and more recently, games in other sports involving the two schools.
In a statement released by OSU, president Ed Ray said the universities agreed to drop the name as it has a connection to a war fought to preserve slavery. Changing this name is overdue, Ray said. While not intended as reference to the actual Civil War, OSU sports competition should not provide any misconstrued reference to this divisive episode in American history. That we did not act before to change the name was a mistake.
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said former Duck quarterback Dennis Dixon was at the forefront of requesting a change in the Civil War name. We must all recognize the power of words and symbolism associated with the Civil War, Mullens said in a statement.
Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said in recent years that numerous athletes, alums and boosters have questioned the term Civil War in relation to the rivalry. Fridays announcement came after several meetings with OSUs student athlete advisory committee regarding the term Civil War.
Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2020/06/oregon-state-oregon-agree-not-to-use-the-term-civil-war-for-its-sports-rivalry-games.html
As a Duck Alum, I approve of this action.
LisaM
(27,843 posts)The US Civil war wasn't even known as the Civil War at the time - it was the War Between the States. And there have been other civil wars in other countries. I have never once thought of this football game - which I generally enjoy watching; I'm a huge college football fan, and I live in Washington - in the context of the American Civil War. "Civil War" is a generic term.
I'm sorry; I think this is overkill.
Sneederbunk
(14,314 posts)WheelWalker
(8,956 posts)that it posited brother against brother, sister against sister, family against family. However, as Oregon A.D. Mullens rightly pointed out, We must all recognize the power of words and symbolism." While there have been many "civil wars" in history and the present, it is the reference to "war" in the naming of a game that I have always found most objectionable (recognizing, however, that any game itself between Ducks and Beavs is often decidedly un"civil".)
I think it's time to rename the game, myself. Reset the series record to love-love and give Little Brother in Corn Valley opportunity anew to restablish its sports cred as between the two decidedly distinct webfoots of Oregon's western wetlands.
And remember, friends don't let friends go to Oregon State. It's Ducks for a Beaver-free America! Go Ducks!
LisaM
(27,843 posts)I kind of wish they'd keep the name.
IronLionZion
(45,563 posts)Could be battle of the wetlands or something more fitting the two animals.
WheelWalker
(8,956 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,664 posts)Stallion
(6,476 posts)get r done
Stallion
(6,476 posts)oatmeal or cornflakes?
Cha
(297,799 posts)son-in-law are Duck Alums, too.
Polybius
(15,507 posts)Expect another edited special edition.