Students choose the University of Oregon for many reasons. Some locate to Eugene to be two hours away from Mom and Dad, some come to get away from home and indulge in the hippie lifestyle and some even because Oregon’s football team is No. 2 in the nation.

Oregonians make up 55 percent of the university’s undergraduate program, and 35 percent are out-of-state, a large majority of them packing their bags from California.

Even Californians themselves call the UO “UC Eugene.” Californians make the migration to Oregon for various reasons. It’s no secret that Oregon is easier to get accepted into, as far as academics go, in comparison to public universities in The Golden State. California’s public higher education system causes problems for Californians who plan to attend college. Universities such as UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC Davis require strong high school GPAs and college degrees usually take more than five years to obtain instead of the standard four, which can be a financial burden for some. 

It’s no surprise that Oregon has gained publicity from the Ducks’ recent success in football, one reason students have chosen Oregon over other schools. However, the Ducks have not always been the BCS phenoms they are today.

So, for you uneducated Californians, here’s a quick history lesson.

Before 2007, the Oregon football team was very up and down. The Joey Harrington era led them to the Fiesta Bowl in 2001-02, where they beat Colorado 38-16. In 2005, the Ducks finished fifth overall in the BCS rankings, with a 10-1 regular season finish, their only loss to No. 1 ranked USC, when they were whooped 45-13. That year, Oregon finished the season tied for the second-best overall record (10-1, after USC was vacated for violations in 2010) in school history.

Ring a bell? Perhaps not.

I have a feeling most Californians at that time were cheering on the Trojans with their star running back and 2005 Heisman winner, Reggie Bush.

Since 2007, Oregon has gone to a bowl game and won each one (with the exception of the 2009 Rose Bowl and the 2010 BCS championship, but we can just forget about those games, right?)

In 2002, the team went 7-6 overall, one of those losses coming from Oregon State, where they were crushed 45-24. Oregon State. Really?

In 2004, Oregon had a losing season of 5-6, when the Ducks again lost to Oregon State and No. 4-ranked California.

It’s true, not every Oregonian grew up watching the Oregon football team with its roller coaster years, but it’s hard to miss all the Oregon and Oregon State news while living in Oregon.

Oregon football would not quite be as exciting as it is without the 54,000 fans who fill Autzen Stadium every Saturday, particularly the student section that leads many of the chants that pump up the football players. Whether it be following the football team across the country as they gain win after win, or standing in the monsoon rain for four hours during a blowout game, I am sure most of the Oregon fans from California have completed their initiation into becoming a real Oregon fan.

I’m not telling California students that they don’t belong at the UO. However, they should understand that the Ducks were not always the power house they are today. Californians must respect the history of Oregon football.

So, next time you’re walking the streets of Eugene, and you scream “Sco Ducks!” just think about what it actually means to cheer on the Ducks.