The Duck Mascot

Since 1947, Oregons athletic teams have been represented by Donald Duck, thanks to an agreement between then-athletic director Loe Harris and Walt Disney. The two made a hand shake deal on the subject that year, and it was finally put down on paper in 1973.

Prior to that, those trolling the campus in the rainy Willamette Valley were known as Webfoots, in reference to Oregons early nick name: the webfoots state. Officals later decided in 1909 that Oregon would be known as the Beaver state, and the beaver was the mascot adopted by OSU. Around then, the university of Oregons teams began being called the Ducks.

In the 1920s, members of a university fraternity brought a live duck names Puddles to athletic events, a tradition that continued for two decades. The student body officially made Oregon's mascot the Duck with a vote, and the tradition has continued until today.

By the book GameDay by Rob Doster.