Oregon State mailbag: Why should Beaver fans care any longer, will coaches, athletes leave?

Published Aug. 08, 2023, 6:38 a.m.
By Nick Daschel | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Another Oregon State mailbag, where readers provide Beavers-related questions and comments, and The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Nick Daschel gives a response.
Here goes:
Other Power 5 conferences are already beginning to negotiate with the Pac-12 bowls for the 2024 season. As for the cost of departing schools returning to the Pac-12, they’d owe nothing unless there is an exit fee from the conference that they’re leaving. FYI, I don’t think this is crazy talk. Buyer’s remorse from Arizona to Washington could be a real thing in a few years.
I know it sounds good but I have no interest in playing football vs the University of Oregon after this year. I would much rather have the Ducks travel clear across the country to play their games. It will be interesting to see how that works out for them. The leadership of the Pac 12 should be ashamed and embarrassed for their actions or their lack of action leading to the collapse of the Pac 12.
The member schools that left for greener pastures may find
I hope you feel better after getting that off your chest. By the way, I received many, many emails like this.
Are all major conference teams safe or are “non-producers” (i.e. low team wins or fan base numbers) at risk of being kicked out/reshuffled? Some say reduce major conference teams down to 58.
Safe? Ahahahahahaha. The weirdness is only starting. There are plenty out who believe the top 30 to 35 programs will split and play in one big-boy football conference.
Barring an unforeseen invitation to the Big 12 or ACC, you can count on coaches and athletes leaving. Oregon State simply won’t be able to afford Power 5 coaching salaries if it must pare the annual budget by $20-30 million. As for athletes leaving, the allure of finding a Power 5 home will be a powerful motivator to transfer. First, though, let’s see where Oregon State lands and we get a peek at the finances.
As a decades long Beaver fan who stuck through Gary Andersen and other tough times only to be (hit over the head) once again, why should I even care anymore? -- @tnarg33
Because at its core, the life of a football fan is fun. Go to a Division III game at Linfield or George Fox or Pacific or Lewis & Clark some Saturday if you think I’m wrong. Maybe the trophies aren’t as shiny or the television lights as bright, but football is interesting in the Mountain West, in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (D-II), and the Northwest Conference (D-III). It’ll take some time to get over the loss of Pac-12 rivalries, but Beaver fans will adapt. Particularly if OSU continues to win.
Doubtful. ESPN, FOX and the networks like their money too much. In the end, it was Oregon and others that were too scared of taking a chance at streaming.
Please tell (AD Scott) Barnes a lot of alumni stand with him. Oregon stabbed many in the back with its move and took opportunism to a slimy no-trust extreme. I don’t think anyone blames our AD or administrators for this. Our guys acted with integrity and in good faith. I’m a lifelong Beav supporter which means Oregon ain’t my favorite school. I wonder how many like me feel the same way? – Monte O
The loathing from Beaver fans toward the Ducks is probably at an all-time high, and understandable. I don’t know that everyone shares your opinion that Oregon State did all it could, but I’ve yet to hear a rational argument. The school had no cards to play.
The questions of what sports will be lost with the loss of revenue is going to be the center of attention now. I hope the future OSU can have both men’s and women’s basketball, hardball and softball. I don’t see soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, track, wrestling, or the rest of a rich tradition being part of their future. Money sports is the game not student athletics – Dkosu48
It’s unlikely Oregon State will cut sports, as schools must support at least 16 sports and comply with Title IX to maintain FBS and Division I status. Mountain West schools offer similar types of sports to their students.
Something I plan to look into. One loge box holder told me “I am giving zero thought to my 5-year commitment. I view as just that, a commitment. I signed up to watch Beaver football, so who the opponent is, garnered zero consideration. I signed up to have nice seats that were comfortable with a great view of Oregon State football.”