Civil War: 'They didn't have room for our cheerleaders'
EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon Civil War: Regardless the season or sport, the rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State is the biggest in the state - if not the nation.
But when the Beavers traveled to Matthew Knight Arena to take on the Ducks in basketball last weekend, something was missing.
"They let us know they didn't have room for our cheerleaders," said Steve Fenk, Oregon State's sports information director.
"I know it's been a long tradition to have both rally squads, cheerleaders if you will, at both arenas," Fenk said, "but this is just what happens over time."
Last season, a traveling squad of 12 Beaver cheerleaders were at the new Matthew Knight Arena, which when it opened was noted as the most expensive college basketball arena ever built.
But the Ducks say they had to remove some of their own cheer squad to accomodate the visiting rally squad inside the new arena.
"It boils down to not having enough space on the floor," said Craig Pintens with the University of Oregon athletic departments.
"You're looking at probably one time a year when you're taking away seating from other fans," Pintens. "By no means was it a slight to Oregon State."
Oregon officials told KVAL News that the decision was mutual and within Pac-12 guidelines, which say the decision to allow an opposing team'ss cheer squad is ultimately up to the host team.
"They're athletes, they want to perform and see how they compare to another cheer squad," Fenk said. "Yeay, they are very dissappointed, but things change and we'll adapt to it."
Beside, Oregon State understands not being able to accomodate an opponent's rally squad: the Beavers have so many people using handicap accessible floor seats they don't have room for an opponent's cheerleaders, either.