There's another PSU home game this Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 pm, PGE Park! Support the Viks!
The Oregonian
Your team, your time... the Blazers, Ducks, Beavers and PSU
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2009/10/your_team
_your_time_the_blazer.html
By John Canzano,
October 16, 2009
I'm blogging here...
The University of Oregon football team has a bye. Oregon State has a bye. That means
Jeremiah Masoli and Jacquizz Rodgers are taking the week off. It also means we need
to deal with the issue of Portland State University.
Also, how this relates to the Blazers buzz this week.
PSU has a larger enrollment than any other institution in the state. It will hand out more
degrees than Oregon or Oregon State next spring. It has a solid research budget. And
PSU's economic impact to the state is estimated to be $1.1 billion annually.
Stay with me here...
Because tuition on the campus is still affordable by college standards ($5,700 annually
for in-state students). And the campus is gorgeous. And based on the statistics that
show an astounding number of you have been in a classroom on the campus, it's clear
that either you took a class at PSU or someone you know (and love?) did.
I only bring this up because Portland State is playing a home football game on Saturday
against Northern Arizona. And PSU will start Connor Kavanaugh (Lincoln HS) at
quarterback. And if you sift through the team roster, you'll find a large number of athletes
who played prep football at area high schools.
Note to you: This is your team.
We spent a lot of time this week talking about the memories you made as a kid at
Memorial Coliseum. And it took you right back to your parents living room on
Wednesday night when Bill Schonely moved back behind the play-by-play microphone
to call Brandon Roy, Greg Oden and company. It was a lot of fun even though the
Blazers lost. A good deal of my radio show on Wednesday and Thursday was spent
taking calls from people who shared rich and amazing memories, and by others, who
made new memories by sharing a transistor radio with their child this week --- one ear
bud for dad, one ear bud for son.
I had glassy eyes through a lot of those stories.
I only bring this up because you have an unimpeded opportunity to give your hometown
team a chance on Saturday at PGE Park --- Kickoff is 1 p.m.
You can buy a ticket for as little as $10. Buy them online or buy them at the ticket office
on game day. Yes, full disclosure, the Bald Faced Truth Foundation is a part of the
festivities. This means children who can't afford to play sports or rent musical
instruments or go on a field trip due to school budget cuts will get help on Saturday, too.
But beyond that, I'm looking at 6,000-plus in average attendance this season, and I'm
seeing your obvious connection with this campus, and I'm wondering if this weekend's
game isn't a wonderful opportunity for you to get inside the stadium and make a memory
with your family and friends.
I was born in Oregon, but grew up in California. And some of the best memories I have
as a kid were from going to San Jose State football games in the late 1970s and early
1980s. Tickets were cheap. Attendance was spotty. Frankly, times weren't great and it
was all we could afford. The Spartans weren't always good, but Jack Elway was the
coach, and like Jerry Glanville, he was never boring. Most of all, though, I can remember
playing catch with my father in the parking lot prior to the games, and cheering alongside
my siblings and mom until we were all hoarse.
Portland State is your team.
It's a reflection of your community.
Your hometown QB is starting.
Give it a try.
