Adding a little more fuel to the fire...

[MickZagger]

on this rivalry, Scott Woodward the UW AD talks shit about Oregon and academic issues.

The brouhaha over Washington athletic director Scott Woodward’s reference to the University of Oregon as an academic “embarrassment” widened Tuesday, when UW interim president Phyllis Wise directed Woodward to personally apologize to Oregon president Richard Lariviere and UO athletic Rob Mullens.

While answering a question about Oregon’s athletic facilities, Woodward said on air that "it's an embarrassment what their academic institution is, and what's happened to them as far as their state funding has gone. In my mind it's a wonderful athletic facility, but they've watched it at the expense of the university go really down.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/11/oregon_football_washington_pre.html

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, he already apologized, but he still said some messed up shit.

 

[Targus]

Total lack of good judgment, on his part. Whatever he was trying to accomplish backfired, and he pretty much backfired. He got a slap from the UW Pres and she demanded he personally apologize to UO AD and Pres.

He should probably concern himself with his own programs - which clearly need some attention.

 

[tlongII]

So what if 99% of UO grads work at McDonald's? Big Deal!

 

[Ed O]

Hmm... I don't think what he said was all that bad.

His point seems to have several facets:

-- Oregon's facilities are great due to external athletic-specific donations
-- Oregon's academics are not producing excellent results
-- Oregon's academics have declined due to budget cuts
-- Oregon's academic failures are being masked by the success of its football team and facilities

Washington voters, he seems to be saying, should NOT make the same mistake as Oregon voters... and UW won't focus on football at the expense of academics (which it would have to do to keep up with the football-specific donations the U of O gets).

That's how I take the comments, at least. "Embarrassment" is a harsh word, of course, but given the relative mediocrity of the academic results it doesn't seem entirely crazy.

Ed O.

 

[Targus]

http://education.uoregon.edu/feature.htm?id=709

Doesn't really matter what he implied or how you interpret, what matters is what he actually said. People like him make statements, without any substantiation or proof of their opinionated claim.

Check the above link, then compare it to actual facts: The UO is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 64 schools nationwide, and is also home to the Robert D. Clark Honors College, the oldest residential honors college in the nation.

Academic units ranking in the Top 10 in the U.S.:

* College of Education
* Architecture
* Biochemistry
* Chemistry
* Economics
* English
* Molecular biology
* Neuroscience
* Physics
* Psychology
* Sports business

Academic units ranking in the Top 20 in the U.S.:

* School of Journalism and Communication
* Lundquist College of Business
* Comparative literature
* Finance
* Historic preservation
* Mathematics

So, is Woodward just inaccurate, not informed or just an idiot for stating: "it's an embarrassment what their academic institution is, and what's happened to them as far as their state funding has gone. In my mind it's a wonderful athletic facility, but they've watched it at the expense of the university go really down.

Anyway, apologies speak in volume. He knows he was grossly wrong. As does his boss, who demanded he apologize.

Personal note:
The family and friends I know who are UO grads (including four players) seem to be doing well. My brother, example, is married to another UO grad, and although in his early 40's, is semi-retired and living in a 4000 SF home on San Juan Islands.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Who really cares? Just so long as we kick the crap out the Fuskies and the sheep loving Beavers in football all is right in the world.

 

[Targus]

I care. A lot of people care. You shouldn't have high ranking staff going around the Pac and making inflammatory claims against each other.

 

[Targus]

I wonder if recruits or if the parents of potential recruits care or were listening to his words?

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder if recruits or if the parents of potential recruits care or were listening to his words?

I doubt it. They were probably like.. "Washington? They have a football team? Oh..... the guys the Ducks just stomped? Okay."