Last weekend my husband and I made our way to Corvallis, Oregon, to watch the Oregon State Beavers battle the Arizona State Sun Devils. This has been a fantastic year so far for college football in Oregon. The Beavs started the season with a 6–0 record for the first time in 105 years and are currently ranked #11 in the BCS poll. Oregon remains undefeated and racks up big numbers every week behind redshirt freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota, placing the Ducks in the #3 slot on the BCS roster.

Historically, Oregonians are used to getting no respect and little attention for their college football teams in a conference that sees their flashier, more well-funded rivals to the south (Cal, UCLA, USC) get all the press. Ducks and Beavers fans are used to holding tight to their fierce allegiances to their respective teams and not deigning to acknowledge — let alone cheer for — their in-state opponent throughout the season. But both sides this year are basking in the national attention their teams are receiving for winning seasons and exciting play, so even my die-hard, OSU-alum husband has been heard rooting for the Ducks. Of course, such magnanimous sportsmanship will abruptly cease when the two teams face off for their Civil War game in a few weeks, but so far it’s been fun to be a football fan of whatever stripe in Oregon this season.

We saw this enthusiasm on full display as we neared Reser Stadium on Saturday. The tailgating parties start early and are spread across parking lots and side streets for blocks around the facility, with elaborate set-ups and orange and black prominantly on display. Harry chuckled at the contrast between his memories of football Saturdays during his college years here (students admitted with just their ASB cards, always an empty seat, low-key) and today’s updated stadium with luxury boxes and tens of thousands of season ticket holders. Enormous, elaborate scoreboards; a flashy marching band; cheerleaders performing gymnastic routines; and fireworks displays all added to the big-show atmosphere.

Clearly here was an example of spending money to make money, and humble little Oregon State and the community of Corvallis are reaping the benefits. Beyond the prestige and attention a winning program brings to a university and its host, the infusion of dollars from hotel stays, restaurant visits, beverages and groceries purchased for those tailgate parties, and all the regalia fans purchase to show their allegiance to the home team is an enormous boon.

We thoroughly enjoyed the game and the win over ASU and were happy to contribute our cheers and our dollars to the local economy — right down to purchasing a box of apples from a fruit stand on our way out of town on Sunday.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor