Get to Know Your Fellow ScoopDucker - Brian H.

Up next in our series is an interview with a fellow ScoopDucker who’s followed a lot of Oregon athletics.

I’ve had the good fortune to meet Brian at a number of Oregon games. Originally we had seats just a few rows from each other. We’ve stayed in touch since and I get by his tailgate at least a few times each year.

Here is his story on being an Oregon fan and what he does apart from cheering on the Ducks.

1. What were some of the biggest reasons you started becoming an Oregon fan? Was it parent influence or going to school at UofO or something else? How long have you been a fan?

“You might say I was meant to be an Oregon Duck straight out of the womb. My Mom and my Dad both went to University of Oregon and that is where they met. My Dad’s younger brother ran track for Oregon as a distance runner. On my mom’s side both grandparents also went to University of Oregon and my Grandfather was an Oregon Basketball Tall Fir 41’-43’.  My Aunt (Mom’s younger sister) and my Uncle (Mom’s younger brother) also both are Ducks.  3 of my Uncle’s 4 kids (my cousins) are all Ducks.  I also am a Duck myself and graduated in 1990.  Hence my username.  I have been a fan probably since age 5 or 6 when I was old enough to understand the strategy of the games.  My first Duck basketball game would have been with my Dad at The Pit during the Kamikaze Kids time frame at age 8.  I started my long Duck Football career at age 11 with my folks and that’s when season tickets began.  Section 13.  First year of Rich Brooks at Oregon.  Coincidentally, after I left section 13 sitting with my parents and became a student… As an adult, I slowly worked my way back to that section and was in that section from 2004 through 2022. That is how I met Jhop.  He sat a couple of rows in front of me and I had the pleasure of getting to know him and watch his kids grow up over the years.  We have been friends since and he comes and finds me at my tailgaters when he is at home games.”  

2. When did you know you were hooked as an Oregon fan?

“I would definitely have to say coming to The Pit with my Dad for Duck Basketball games during the Kamikaze Kids days.  Driving down from Corvallis and getting out of the car and seeing lines 2 blocks long going in both directions on University Ave before the doors opened.  Seeing frisbees flying all over in the arena.  The students right on top of the opponents.  Hearing a crowd so loud after every basket it hurt my ears.  Totally hooked.  A few years later I got addicted to Duck Football.  I started receiving university of Oregon clothing and memorabilia around the age of four. It all started with a felt pant and two corduroy pillows with the old-school angry duck with a bowtie. That is my current tattoo on my left ankle. This became a huge rolling downhill snowball, which has become some incredibly large of Oregon gear and memorabilia. My master closet in my house is referred to by my friends as “the Duck store”, I am also the owner and creator of the famous “Duck Room”.  I am guessing many of you have seen it. I have had people send it to me where they have seen it used as a Meme on social media.” 

3. Do you remember your first game at Autzen? What do you remember about that game if so? What was your favorite game ever at Autzen?

“I sure do.  1977.   With my parents.  Rich Brooks first home game.  Lost to Wisconsin.  I remember that our offense was really boring and we really struggled to move the ball.  It was gross. However it was my first experience tailgating in the east Autzen lot. Oregon went 2-9 my first year of season tickets. Beat OSU though so I was a happy kid that day and even happier at school the following Monday at my middle school in Corvallis. My favorite games at Autzen were 44-0 over OSU in 1987 as a student with my fraternity brothers.  Perfection.  My other favorite was the 69-10 Civil War the game it was “raining touchdowns” with the O Linemen all wearing raincoats at the end.   I enjoy winning the Civil War more than most because I from Corvallis and I have to live around them and have to listen to them endlessly when they win (which is only 13 of the last 50, which is still too many ).”  

4. Who was your favorite Duck growing up and has that player been replaced as an adult? 

“My favorite player as a kid was Reggie Ogburn.  Oregon’s exciting QB for 1979 and 1980. 1980 was a masterpiece of a season.  Such a fun year for the Ducks.  Some of my favorites over the years have been Saladin McCullough, Josh Wilcox, Reuben Droughns, Jeff Maehl, Jevon Holland and most recently JPJ, to name a few.” 

5. Do you have a ‘bucket list’ stadium you would like to see Oregon play in?

“I would have to say Penn State which can now soon be a reality in the B1G. I have been to Tennessee (my all time favorite road trip w/incredible “Sailgating” and a Win) and Michigan (also a great win and trip) and I really enjoy going to Stanford and UCLA road conference games (great time tailgating with friends). I love going to road games with groups of good friends. I have been to both National Championship games, Dallas vs LSU, all of the Rose Bowls, Fiesta Bowls, and so many other road games.  Least favorite road games are @Arizona and @USC. I have also been to several Duck basketball road games including a couple of NCAA regionals, the Final 4, and both Maui Invitationals.”  

6. What do you think about the current team and your thoughts on Dan Lanning?

“So far, I’d have to say that I really enjoy the youth and the energy of the current staff. The freshness of things. Makes things more fun to follow. There always seems to be something going on even during the off-season. I think what I am most looking forward to with this staff is Oregon joining the elite teams when it comes to play at the line of scrimmage specifically.  It is where the big games are won and lost.  I still feel like that is where Oregon has been somewhat lacking, and unable to create consistent pressure on opponents quarterbacks on a game to game basis. That is something that I am always hoping for at each and every game… A consistent pass rush. I like how Dan Lanning handles himself publicly and I like how he handles the press and his relationships with alumni, parents and the players themselves.  He has a good head on his shoulders, and he is very real.”  

7. Talk to us a bit about your personal life now. Where do you live now and  where did you grow up? What’s one childhood memory (trip or other) you would like to share? 

“I currently live in the very south part of Salem after a long stint in Eugene. I moved up here in 2019 from Eugene, with the intent of being closer to my best friends and to my sister and my parents (Both of whom I have lost in the last three years, including my father last October).   For quite a while there I had season tickets to football, basketball, and all 10 years of Baseball (pre-Waz). I finally let my basketball tickets go and my baseball tickets go when I moved north and now I just go to games when I can but I never miss a home football game. I grew up in Corvallis and I went to Corvallis high school, and I believe I am only one of two people in my senior class that went to university of Oregon. We lived in Corvallis because of my father’s job as the park and recreation Director for Corvallis.  Every year during Civil War games (basketball and football) I had a long-standing bet with one of my high school teachers. The loser of the Civil War had to wear a bag on his head for the entire week following the game. It was always good during football, because Oregon never lost to Oregon State during my entire time living in Corvallis during grade School, middle school, or high school… no losses, and only one tie… The dreaded toilet bowl in 1983. After attending that game we both decided to wear a bag for a day.   People would walk by in the hall and look in the classroom window to see which one of us was wearing the bag. It was always a big thing and people would laugh at us and they thought we were stupid. We probably were. But I was going to the mat for the Ducks every game regardless. Even when Oregon was a 20 point underdog against Ralph Miller’s Orange Express. I would proudly wear my green and yellow bag the entire week and multiple times I ended up on the front of the school paper. ” 

8.What do you do for work and what do you enjoy most about your job? 

“I am currently working in the software industry and I work for a large software company that does project management ERP products. I have been at my company for over 18 years now and I was at my last company for 9 before that. 27 years in the software industry. I like the work because it is extremely challenging and I do troubleshooting all day long. I like to try to figure out issues that no one else can figure out.  I also really like the wardrobe, because I now work from home, and the commute is tremendous!”

9. What are a few things you like to do in your free time? Is there some place you enjoy taking a vacation? 

“In my spare time, I am still a rotisserie Baseball and fantasy football junkie. I have been hooked on rotisserie Baseball since 1983, and I have the original book from Back when it started. Fantasy Football since 1985. I love the preparation, the draft, and the management during the season. I love trying to outsmart people that are in my league when they know my moves, and I know their moves. Fantasy football I still enjoy but now everyone and their grandmother are playing and people constantly ask me “who should I start this week” which, if you think about it, defeats the purpose of playing at all, it’s about making your own decisions and managing your own team . I like playing for in high $ money leagues because generally those people are more serious about the competition side of things, and it is more challenging to win. Especially with baseball leagues. Keeps my mind sharp and makes me think and analyze.  I grew up watching my grandmother always do the New York Times crossword, and she would always tell me to make sure I challenge my mind every day.” 

“I really enjoy the Oregon coast and Central Oregon mountain Lakes. Something waterfront. Beautiful scenery. With a good bourbon, good friends, good barbecue, and if the time is right… A good cigar.   No one on their damn cell phones.  When I am in Central Oregon I always make a point of stopping in Redmond at Wild Ride Brewing to pay my respects to Brian Mitchell (I always call ahead to give him a heads up) to enjoy the fire pits and have a TasteSki.  I still think Wild Ride has the best full listing of house beers in the state.  Something for everyone’s wide variety of tastes.”  

10. Where would you like to retire? 

“Hands-down the Oregon coast. I have no close second. I want to walk on the beach twice a day with a big dog and breathe in fresh salt air every day.  Won’t matter which part of the Oregon coast, because I will still make my way to Eugene and be at Autzen on Fall Saturdays.   Go Ducks.”