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

The Forest Grove News-Times, Dec 2, 2009, Updated Dec 2, 2009

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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.