Un-Civil War
Ducks or Beavers? Allegiances run deep in Washington County, and two of its most prominent citizens square off before the biggest Civil War game in history
When seventh-ranked Oregon and 13th-ranked Oregon State take the field Thursday night in front of 59,000 fans at Autzen Stadium and millions more at home watching on national television, there will be much at stake for both the Ducks and Beavers – pride, for sure, but also a Pac-10 championship and a berth in the fabled Rose Bowl.
It will be the biggest game in Civil War history, and it’s a safe bet that most of the TVs in Washington County will be tuned to ESPN at 6 p.m. when Oregon and Oregon State meet for the 113th time.
That’s exactly where Ralph Brown and Ray Giansante plan on being.
Brown, the former mayor of Cornelius and current Forest Grove School District board member, and Giansante, former executive director of the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce, are good friends and truly two of the area’s nicest guys. Both retired educators, Giansante volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and Brown helped found the local “I Have a Dream” scholarship program for low-income students. They cross paths frequently, serving together on various committees and donating their time to a number of local causes.
“I don’t remember how we first met, but it was a long time ago,” Giansante said on Monday. “We both believe in volunteering and giving back to a community that has been good to us. Ralph is a man for whom I have great respect and admiration. He’s just one of the good guys.”
But don’t expect any pleasantries to be exchanged between the two men on Thursday.
Brown, a lifelong Beaver fan who has a Master’s degree from OSU, won’t have many nice things to say about the Ducks or their rowdy fans, and that might not sit well with Giansante, a 1958 University of Oregon grad.
“Duck fans are more fanatic and unruly toward opposing teams,” Brown said.
Giansante conceded that Oregon boosters are “sometimes overeager,” but noted that Beaver fans can also get pretty fired up.
“I only experience them once every two years because I won’t go to Reser Stadium,” Giansante said, “but they seem to be very rabid fans.”
The News-Times sat down with Brown and Giansante during the week leading up to Thursday’s big game and asked them how Oregon vs. Oregon State – one of the most iconic college football rivalries in the country – has helped shape their lives.
How did you become a Duck, or in your case Ralph, a Beaver?
RG — My allegiance began when I enrolled at the U of O in 1953. I played on the freshman football team that year.
RB — In the ‘60s OSU had some very good teams, including the ‘Giant Killers’ that knocked off at least three nationally ranked teams, including USC. I grew up in Astoria and had several friends who went to OSU. I didn’t go to OSU until after I had taught for three years in Warrenton.
Does your whole family share that loyalty?
RG — Fortunately, yes. Every member of our family, even the extended family, is a Duck fan. OK, there is one nephew who went to Oregon State, but we still love him.
RB — My wife, daughter and grandson favor OSU. My son and granddaughter favor U of O.
How do you show off your school pride?
RG — Well, we have flags, balls, cups, posters, even clocks that show our pride in the Ducks. In addition, I fly a Duck flag from the flag pole in my yard.
RB — I wear OSU clothing the day before the game and on game day. My cell phone has the OSU fight song as its ringtone.
How did your team fare while you were a student?
RB — I went to OSU for three summers – from 1971 to 1973 – to get my Masters in Guidance and Counseling. The team had a long 20-plus years of below-par teams.
RG — Oregon was generally a middle of the road team most of the time, but they had a great year in 1957 when they went to the Rose Bowl. It would be many years until they returned.
This rivalry has featured some great coaches over the years. Who is your all-time favorite?
RB — Mike Riley because of the way he works with his players and the community. He will finish his career as the coach with the most wins in OSU history.
RG — My favorite coach was Len Cassanova. As mentioned before, I played one year at Oregon before an injury ended my very short college career. ‘Cass’ was the head coach, new to Oregon from Santa Clara University.
‘Cass’ was a man of great character and integrity, and I thought a really great coach. He was a Catholic and he would even check up on me and others to make sure we went to church on Sunday. Years later when I would run across ‘Cass’ at a game or campus event I was always amazed that he would remember me, and he even remembered my name!
Time for a harder question – who is your favorite player?
RB — Mitch Meeuwsen because he played football at Forest Grove High School. He was a Freshman All-American and set interception records at OSU.
RG — There have been so many. I’m going to choose Bill Musgrave, because I had a personal relationship with Bill. My son, Joe, and Bill were roommates for four years at Oregon and we had a great relationship with Bill and his family. I know that Joe and Bill still talk regularly by phone. We even have posters of Bill hanging in our home, both from Oregon and when he was with the San Francisco 49ers.
Both schools have been through some lean years. Did you stay loyal during those dark days?
RG — We did stay loyal, although at times it was very difficult. It just seemed that mediocrity had come to stay!
RB — I have always been a fan, but the OSU gear stayed in the drawers during the long losing streak.
What’s your favorite football memory relating to your school?
RB — Last year when OSU beat No. 1-ranked USC.
RG — This is a most difficult question to answer. I’m one of those guys who just simply loved college. One of my favorite memories was being able to see my very first college football game in person. Oregon played UCLA at Hayward Field and I think I was mesmerized by the experience.
How would you characterize the rivalry between the two schools?
RG — Uncivil! Many people say that it doesn’t matter who wins, that it’s good for the state no matter what. But more – many more – express the following thought: ‘I cheer for only two college teams – Oregon and the team playing against Oregon State.’ Or vice versa.
RB — It’s a healthy, spirited rivalry that makes Civil War week exciting throughout the state.
Where will you be on Thursday night?
RB — In front of the TV, wearing OSU attire.
RG — We have had season tickets since about 1974, so we try to attend every home game. Unfortunately, because of a recent back surgery, I will be watching from the comfort of my own family room. But I have given my ticket to a family member.
OK guys, prediction time – call the final score. Who goes home victorious this year?
RG — U of O, 40-34
RB — OSU, 36-28