Discover the Top 9 Entertaining and Surprising Fun Facts About the University of Oregon

1. Rain Gear Fashion Show

When life gives you rain, make a fashion statement: At the University of Oregon, students are no strangers to wet weather and thus deck themselves out in an array of rain gear, including rain jackets, umbrellas, boots, rain/snow pants, and even waterproof backpacks – turning the campus into a veritable fashion runway for moisture-resistant attire!
Source => studentlife.uoregon.edu

2. Disney-Inspired Duck Mascot

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might just be an Oregon Duck with a dash of Disney magic: The University of Oregon's mascot, resembling Donald Duck, came into existence in the 1920s, with a live white duck named "Puddles" attending games, but it wasn't until 1973 when a formal agreement with Disney sealed the deal for Donald's likeness to officially represent Oregon sports, maintaining its unique non-Disney costume.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that a conflict with a Bishop led Father Sorin and his team to establish the iconic University of Notre Dame? Discover how this legendary institution was born from a humble beginning!

=> Fun Facts about Notre-Dame-University

3. Nike's Fairy Godfather

If track and field had a fairy godfather, he would be wearing a pair of Nikes and wielding a magical stopwatch: Bill Bowerman, the legendary track coach at the University of Oregon, was not only the trainer of 31 Olympic athletes and 51 All-Americans, but also co-founded Nike, Inc. alongside his former runner, Phil Knight. Bowerman developed iconic shoe designs like the Cortez and Waffle Racer, cementing his status as the fairy godfather of track and field with his tremendous legacy manifested in a statue, a dedicated stopwatch at Hayward Field, and the annual Bowerman Award, given to the most outstanding collegiate male and female athletes.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Hayward Hall Track Gossip

If Hayward Hall could talk, we'd sprint over to hear its gossip about Oregon's track and field glory days: This venerable hall, open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except during major events and from December 2 to January 9), houses the University of Oregon's rich cross country and track and field history, and eager enthusiasts can email [email protected] to learn about their legendary athletic achievements.
Source => hayward.uoregon.edu

5. University as a Hollywood Set

Who you gonna call? Party school busters! For all the Ducks out there, it turns out that the University of Oregon isn't just a one-hit party wonder: From hosting the chaotic crew of "Animal House" (1977) to giving a helping hand to the young wanderers in "Stand By Me" (1986), the Erb Memorial Union and Willamette River have seen their fair share of Hollywood glitz and drama.
Source => around.uoregon.edu

6. Campus Comic Connections

In a plot twist worthy of any graphic novel, the University of Oregon has inked its way into comic book history: By boasting alum Steve Lieber, artist behind the variant cover of "Fight Club 2," and having its "Mighty Oregon" statue make guest appearances in comic strips like "Doonesbury" and "Understanding Comics," this campus is certainly no stranger to comics and their heroes.
Source => oregonlive.com

7. Musical Duck Alum

Who knew that Ducks could sing so melodiously? It seems their feathers aren't the only thing that's well-harmonized: Mat Kearney, a talented singer-songwriter, hails from the University of Oregon's own Eugene and bloomed as a musician after migrating to the more tuneful lands of Nashville.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. UO's Poetry Slam Scene

When you need to unleash your inner Dr. Seuss or go all Shakespeare on your feelings, look no further than the University of Oregon's poetry battleground: the UO Poetry Slam organization, founded in 2014, offers students a safe space to vent via spoken word poetry, hosting slams with winning wordsmiths representing the university at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational.
Source => dailyemerald.com

9. Queen of Eco-Friendliness

If the University of Oregon was a character from Captain Planet, it would be Gaia herself, Queen of the Earth and master of all things green: This eco-friendly institution puts the "hip" in hippie by prioritizing sustainability in every aspect of its operations and academics, sharing progress reports with students and faculty to foster a planet-saving culture, and provide material for research, teaching, and late-night, tree-hugging study sessions.
Source => sustainability.uoregon.edu