Get to Know Your Fellow ScoopDucker - Jason Allen

Moving along in one of my favorite series lately, getting to know some of our fellow ScoopDuckers of the boards. Behind a screen name and some ‘anonymous’ posts, who are the people of ScoopDuck really?

Next up is my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Jason Allen. If you are around Southern Oregon or have been you’ll recognize the name. Jason does do radio and has been a very positive influence around the valley.

I figured why not have him answer the ScoopDuck questionnaire and give you all a little more glimpse into his background.

So here is Jason talking about being a Duck fan and a little about him personally.

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?

It was a combination of my dad taking me to my first college football game at Autzen and one of my best friend’s parents had season tickets. So I would say I’ve been a serious fan since the late 90’s.

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

During the Joey Harrington years.  My friend’s dad was going through a divorce and would give us his tickets to the games.  I don’t know that I would be the super fan I am today if it wasn’t for his dad giving us tickets.

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?

For sure vs Arizona and the Desert Swarm defense!  I believe it was October 29^th, 1994.  It was the week after “The Pick”.  My dad was given tickets from a work customer.  It was my freshman year of high school, and I took a buddy with us.  I remember listening to the pregame radio show on our way to the game and they were talking about how they had to reinforce the field goals posts because of what had happened the week before vs Washington.  That was back in the days when there wasn’t a lot of team gear.  I’m pretty sure I wore a flannel shirt to the game and froze my butt off. 

As far as my favorite game ever at Autzen…that’s a tough one.  I would probably have to say the Michigan game with Fright Night a close second. 

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

I would say Joey Harrington was my favorite for a long time because he got us very close to a Natty before it was even coined the Natty.  Then it was Jeff Maehl.  I have a soft spot for small town kids.  My favorite coach is Danimal.  The dude is just different.    

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

Not really.  I just wish I had more time and money to go to away games.  Penn State would be cool.

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

I’m all in!  If we’re going to win a Natty, it will be while CDL is at the helm.

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 grew up in Glendale, Oregon (Go Pirates)!  After high school I made it through four terms at U.C.C. before I quit school to pursue radio full time.  I’ve been married for almost 18 years.  My wife and I have 5 kids and live in Grants Pass.  Life as a father of four girls and one boy is interesting to say the least.  We have two teenage girls and I’m starting to question my sanity!  My favorite childhood memories were growing up around my cousins on our family’s ranch.  So many great times! 

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

I’ve been in the radio business since high school.  After working on our high school station, I landed an internship in 1998 at Brooke Communications in Roseburg. Shoutout to Mike Carter for giving a small-town kid a chance!  In 2001 I moved to Grants Pass to work full-time for Grants Pass Broadcasting.  In 2008 I took a job in Medford at Bicoastal Media and spent 13 ½ years working there.  During that time, I started hosting the morning show with Ashley on Q100.3 and got into sales.  That stop changed my life.  In 2021 I came back to Grants Pass to help relaunch an old country station 94-7 KRRM.  It’s been great!  I’m just over 25 in the business and still can’t believe I get to do what I love. Technology has changed a lot about business, but I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to do it as long as I have.  Radio has opened a lot of other doors for me.  I dabble in podcasting when time allows, I do voicework on the side, I’ve hosted many radiothons and community events, and I also work for the Southern Oregon Speedway as the track announcer, and I help with track sponsorships.  I love that it doesn’t feel like work.      

9. What are a few things you like to do in your free time? Is there some place you enjoy taking a vacation? Do you have kids or family you spend a lot of time with? 

Did you say free time?  What’s that?  When we do get free time away from all of the sports and livestock projects we love to go to Sunriver.  One of these days I’d like to buy a house there.  I think that’s also my answer to the next question.

10. Where would you like to retire? 

See above.  I love Central Oregon. 

11. What’s one of the greatest moments of your life? What made that moment so special to you?

This is a tough one.  I’ve been blessed with some amazing moments.  It’s hard to pick one.  My wife is the backbone of our family so marrying here is at the top. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today.  She also gave me 5 beautiful children…so let’s just lump that all together.  I also got to help deliver my 5^th child 3 weeks into covid and that was pretty awesome!  Donating bone marrow to two different complete strangers was also a very special experience. 

Go Ducks, Jason.