The Mighty Oregon Podcast

Ernie Kent had never been west of the Mississippi River before heading to Eugene. An All-American in high school, Kent would arrive on campus not knowing much about the Ducks but could feel just how one-of-a-kind Eugene really was. Kent wanted to be apart of something special and he would find that in coach Dick Harter’s Ducks, or as their most commonly referred to, the Kamikaze Kids. In part one of my chat with Kent, we look back at his childhood growing up, getting to Eugene and what it was like playing for those special teams in the 1970s. 

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is part one of our conversation with Ernie Kent: Becoming a Kamikaze Kid.

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Chance Gray and Grace VanSlooten of the Ducks women’s basketball team have been on each others radar since a very young age. Gray is a product Cincinnati, Ohio and VanSlotten is from 200 miles north, in Toldeo, Ohio. That relatively close proximity lead both young ladies to playing for the same AAU team in the Buckeye state. A friendship developed that impacted each on and off the court, and ultimately led them both to the 541.

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast…and this is Chance Gray and Grace VanSlooten: A Package Deal.

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Men’s basketball guard Rivaldo Soares is a product of the American dream. A first generation American with Cape Verdean descent, Soares father came to the States looking for a better life. Through hard work and determination, that dream was achieved in Boston, Massachusetts. While in Boston, Rivaldo had a dream himself. To one day be a Duck. And with the lessons learned from his father…hard-work and determination…Soares has had his dreams come true.

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast, and this is Rivaldo Soares: The American Dream in Eugene

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A lot of athletes that have come through Eugene have had their one shining moment. Highlights that stand the test of time…plays you could build a statue of…runs to the Roses. Keenan Howry certainly stamped his name in the Oregon football history books. The only problem is finding which page he’s most remembered for. For that, well, let’s just let him tell you…

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Keenan Howry: Thanks for the Memories

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There have been many players come through Eugene that grew up as a fan of the Ducks. Memories as a kid at Autzen Stadium. The history of Hayward Field. The Magic of McArthur Court. But there hasn’t been a book end to a career at Oregon like Ryan Walk. One of his first memories of the Ducks is the Holiday Bowl in 2000 against Texas. And that’s where he’ll finish his college career; this week at the Holiday Bowl against North Carolina…hoping to sail off into the sunset from San Deigo.

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast. And this is Ryan Walk: Home for the Holiday Bowl.

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Social media has revolutionized the world. When used correctly, it can bring fun interactions with people you’d probably never run into otherwise. A comment from an athlete is like an autograph to some, something that’ll be remembered by young fans forever. Enter Brennan Rigsby, who used social media to help him gain a following on and off the basketball court. Already a promising player in high school, Rigsby had a dunk go viral that put his name all over the basketball map. But Rigsby wants more than 15 minutes of fame for a showtime dunk. After helping lead his junior college team to a national title, he wants to brings that level of success to the Dunks. 

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast…and this is Brennan Rigsby: the Human Highlight Reel.

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Life can be hard. The ups and downs of the daily grind can be overwhelming at times. Most of us have a support system to fall back on in order to help us get through the tough times. Our parents usually top that list. Imagine taking that away? It would be easy to give up and feel sorry for yourself. To go down a path that not many recover from. But that’s not what Gloria Mutiri wanted for her life. She didn’t let her circumstances define her. She continued to fight. She dared to dream.

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We’ve help tell a lot of great stories in the nearly 100 episodes of this podcast. Tales of triumph. Tales of heart break. And tales of perseverance. Stories that would jump off the pages of a book. Te-Hina Paopao and Endyia Rogers have similar stories but author them in vastly different ways. Paopao is a vocal leader for the Ducks who has overcome significant injuries in her playing career well before she got to Eugene. Rogers is reserved on and off the court, even in the face of family tragedy. One bond they’ve shared since an early age has been basketball. The game has helped them face adversity and lead them both to Oregon. And that’s why we’re giving you a super sized episode with the ladies of the Ducks basketball team. For them to share their story…in their own words.

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Golf is typically looked at as a sport that requires a lot to get started. Clubs cost a pretty penny. Access to courses can be tricky. Not to mention the mental grind the game takes on even the best players.Former Duck Aaron Wise didn’t let anything keep him from reaching his ultimate goal, becoming a professional golfer. But before reaching the PGA TOUR, Wise was busy leading the Ducks to a national title oversome of the best players in college. Golfers who have gone on to have major success...something Wise is looking to accomplish as his professional career progresses.

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the 2016 NCAA National Player of the Year, Aaron Wise.

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Oregon football has made its name as a national power, especially over the last 30 years. Many memorable moments have helped cement the Ducks as perineal title contenders and the class of the Pac-12.

But Bowl games haven’t always been a given. There were some lean years for the Ducks in the 70s and 80s. A stretch in which Oregon didn’t go to a bowl game for over 25 years.

As a new decade came into focus, one team did stand out. The 1970 Ducks were one of only two teams during the decade to have a winning season. That team earned the nickname, “the fighting Ducks,” and one game in particular couldn’t have resembled that nickname more. October 10th…Oregon vs UCLA at the Coliseum. Oregon, down 40-21 with under 5 minutes to play against UCLA, scored three touchdowns to shock the LA crowd.

This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is our look back at one of the most dramatic comebacks in Ducks history featuring Dan Fouts, Ahmad Rashad and John Robinson.

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