Reflections on working the "Civil War" Game
Reflections on working the "Civil War" Game
This writer had an opportunity to work the rivalry game in Corvallis
Fans across the state of Oregon celebrated or agonized over Saturday’s game between Oregon and Oregon State. The contest involved a huge momentum swing—as #22 Oregon State rallied with 21 unanswered points in the second half to stun tenth-ranked Oregon 38-34 in the game formerly known as the Civil War. The fans at Reser Stadium in Corvallis streamed onto the field in celebration as they claimed their ninth win for the season, with a chance to make it a ten-win season with a bowl win—which would be a first for the team since 2006. Oregon’s loss dropped them to 9-3 and lost them a chance at a Pac-12 championship appearance.
The opening paragraph is what was presented in various forms by journalists covering the game—including Associated Press writer Gary Horowitz—my friend and radio broadcast partner. Gary asked me to come along to help him with part of the reporting process, which I did. This is simply a report on the experience.
To provide a little background, I am no rookie when it comes to covering sports. Working at the prep level, Gary and I had broadcast the first-ever Columbia Cup Championship game for Oregon 6A football on Friday. I had also served as a broadcaster for the Les Schwab Invitational basketball tournament in the 1990s, and was the lead announcer for the Les Schwab Bowl (the former Shrine game) in that same time frame. Additionally, I broadcast for the Western Oregon Wolves football team for six seasons.
But when it comes to Pac-12 football, I am a decided rookie. Gary, on the other hand, has been covering the Beavers and the Ducks for a quarter-century.
I served as the driver, and picked up Gary at his palatial mansion in NE Salem about 9:30 am. With a 12:30 kickoff, we will still need some time for travel and preparation prior to the game.
We rolled down highway 99W to Corvallis, avoiding the traffic that snarls Interstate Five without fail every Civil War contest.
We are quickly directed to the press box parking area, and Gary identifies our parking spot (1059), where we pull in, grab our reporting gear, and head for check-in. (Note: we had to back track when I left my phone behind.) The walk into the stadium isn’t awful, but I will get my “steps” in by the end of the day.
For those who haven’t been keeping up, Oregon State is in the midst of a massive, 161 million dollar remodeling project of Reser Stadium’s west grandstands. Once checked in at field level, reporters make their way up into the vacant stands and then behind them to a series of single-wide trailers serving as a makeshift press box for this season.
The trailers are outfitted with lights, power, and heat. The view is much closer than most college venues, akin to press boxes at many high school football fields. The long table tops provide room for about a dozen reporters with laptop computers and cell phones. Thick glass separates the box occupants from the outside. Large speakers mounted above the box rattle the entire structure. You can feel the music being played.
Before we settle into the media digs, Gary needs to show me around, since I will be leaving just before the end of the game to prepare for questions for the losing side in the game. Not knowing who will win or lose, he needs to show me how journey to both media locations.
Oregon State’s players and coaches will be set up in the nearly-brand new Valley Football Center at the north end the stadium. It has lots of modern glass and wide hallways. We duck in for perhaps a minute.
The visiting Oregon Ducks have lockers and media seating at the 73-year old Gill Coliseum—the Beavs’ venue for basketball and wrestling. The press entrance is at the north end of the building. Again, we hurriedly glance inside and return to the stadium.
It is going to be a long game, and so an early meal is a must. Gary hands me two meal vouchers—mine and his. The wily veteran reporter has packed some tasty meat loaf sandwiches for his lunch. The vouchers—plus four bucks of my own cash—buy a chicken sandwich, fries, and a bottle of soda. I carefully balance the meal items in my hands as we maneuver back to the opposite side of the stadium. There is no need to rush, but the game is coming fast, so I gobble it down with no hesitation.
I am seated next to Gary, but get to meet a few people whose names I know. Writer Ken Goe of the Oregonian newspaper—a low key, yet friendly guy. John Canzano of the Bald-Faced Truth. John left the Oregonian to work independently online—and to continue his daily radio show. He’s somebody I will be looking to follow up with in the future as I work on my own writing chops. When we picked up my meal earlier, Gary had a short exchange with Ducks sportscaster Jerry Allen while I was applying condiments to my sandwich. Wish I had tried to get into that brief conservation. Lots of media colleagues to rub elbows with for a big game like this. Gary knows them all, and they all like him. That’s Gary.
As everyone settles in for the start of the ball game, note pads are put at the ready—notes scribbled across the top, colored pens laid out. Some writers have “systems” for taking game notes, others are like me—scribbling here and there, with circles and arrows all over the page. Hi liters are also helpful when attempting to underscore important details. I think Gary has had the same fluorescent-yellow hi liter since the Clinton Administration.
As the game progresses, notes are scribbled at varying rates by the writers—some are content to monitor the online stats provided by Oregon State, and make some more specific notes as needed. Plenty of discussion occurs between us in the booth. Was that a first down? Why did they make that play call? What did the officials say about that play? Really? Reminds me of the chatter among friends watching a game on television.
Oregon State athletic staff walk-in quarterly statistics for the game. Not everyone wants them, but most of us look them over and correct our notes as needed. The quarter breaks allow everyone a second to recollect their thoughts.
More notes, more discussion. Some of us slip out for a moment to the port-a-potties set up behind the press trailers. Waiting until halftime could be problematic if a restroom break is urgent. PLUS—the football coaches share these with us.
In the third quarter, I took a short catnap. At least that is what Gary tells me later. Two long days have left me a bit tired. He assures me that nobody else noticed, but I have my doubts. Fortunately, it was brief, as the game—which had been dominated by the visiting Ducks—suddenly turned competitive, as the home team started its slow comeback.
Since my reporting is as a support measure for Gary, I am watching him develop his story. He initially had typed out notes about the competitive nature of the game, then the Ducks dominance, followed by the comeback efforts of the Beavers. Lots of revisions for Mr. Horowitz.
As the game winds down and revisions come at a torrid pace, Gary reminds me I need to move to the football field and then to the media room of the losing team. When the fourth down pass for the Ducks falls incomplete as the clock winds down—I know my destination and make my way to Gill Coliseum.
I find a seat with the rest of reporters in a small room. A sound board is set up to one side, but only one or two television guys have hooked into it. We sit for a few minutes.
A media liaison for the Ducks football program enters. His job is to identify questioners for coaches and players and to limit said questions as needed.
Coach Dan Lanning enters first—alone. He fields questions about his team’s late collapse after leading big in the second half. He makes no apologies and does express regret about how the contest went late. Many of us are holding up digital recorders or cell phones to serve as note takers. Later, some of us will sit down at empty tables and listen best we can to the comments to compose quotes.
After Coach Lanning is finished, we wait some more. Chase Cota—who had returned from injury—reflected upon making a first quarter TD catch and the tradition of the game. The wide-out also expressed a measure of pain about the way the game was lost. More waiting.
Quarterback Bo Nix enters, looking somber, but putting on a composed face. He, too, laments the mistakes made by Oregon’s offense that provided opportunities for Oregon State. He is a young man, but handles himself with extreme maturity.
One final group of players—a pair of Oregon defensive guys. I pull a quote from safety Bennett Williams, who had a pair of interceptions in a Duck win last week. He admits the Oregon defense saw the run coming the entire second half, but just couldn’t stop it. A controlled expression of frustration and disappointment on his part.
Back to the media trailer I go, sitting at a table just outside. I keep the volume low on on my phone media player and listen carefully to the coach and player comments. Three quotes are cobbled together, and I write with as much neatness as I can, so Gary can read it.
The quote sheet torn from my note pad goes to Mr. Horowitz, who is still adjusting and revising his story copy. I sit down and wait. In a matter of minutes, Gary has composed his sports writing masterpiece. He calls the Associated Press to confirm their receipt of his work. We wait around for another ten minutes in case there are any questions from the AP. No queries arrive to Gary’s phone. Papers are collected, technology packed up. We are done for the night.
On the way home, we stop at our favorite fast food restaurant, where Gary is buying dinner. We eat and chat a little, then drive the last 25-30 miles back to town.
Game over. A long, nearly 12-hour day for wages of under 100 dollars. But it was fun. A lot of fun. Historic even. Thanks to the Ducks and Beavers for giving “us” something interesting to write about.
Thanks for inside scoop on sportswriters view of game. Have attended the OSU/UofO game since the early 1960’s and this Beaver comeback was one of the best! Beavs have lots of heart and underdog motivations to win the big game! Go Beavs!
Mark, Thanks for sharing this story within the story. While most coverage focuses on the major elements of the event, the more subtle “behind the scenes” exchanges can be very important. The loosing teams media room has to be a somber experience. Interesting that you didn’t know which media room to attend until the last minute or two.
Thanks again. I’m enjoying your “work”.