The History of Order of the O
06/16/26 | Order of the O
In May of 1908 the student members of the Athletic Council formed the student-athlete letterman's club, the Order of the O. The new order was comprised only of men who had won their (emblems) "O" in Football, Track and Baseball. Bylaws and a constitution were developed and by 1910 they had two banquets each year; one in the fall and one in the spring. These were to initiate and welcome new members. "It will have for it's objective the securing of the best and soundest conditions in University athletic life."
Throughout the next several decades many male athletes continued to participate in the Order of the O. The varsity athletes would display their block "O" on their letter jackets and sweaters. The pride of wearing the Oregon emerald green and golden yellow was relative to the ever changing foliage of the Willamette Valley. The green rolling hills and forests, and the contrasting colors of the yellow and golds of the spring, summer and fall. These unique colors gave the University of Oregon's athletes a distinct variety of uniform colors.
As the late sixties and seventies approached, the appeal of wearing of letter jackets and sweaters became less popular. The involvement in the Order of the O changed. Less emphasis was put on the popular block O letter jackets and sweaters. In fact, it was rare to see athletes donning their prized award.
After the 1995 Rose Bowl, Bill Moos, then UO Athletic Director, was approached by former athletes, Dave Wilcox, Bob Donnelly, Rich Schwab and Doug Post about rekindling the Order of the O. However, they wanted to focus primarily on the former women and men letter winners. Bill agreed to the idea and for the next 28 years the club was entertained the former athletes but supported the current athletes and teams at home Football games with a tailgate hosting their members and guests. The club implemented a yearly membership fee plus offered a lifetime membership. The number of yearly members would vary each year between 500 to 800 members depending on the opportunity to buy Football "Bowl" tickets. Throughout the decades of U of O athletics there are thousands of former athletes, however the structure of the Order of the O only served a small percentage of the former Ducks and had limited female involvement.
As Title IX became law, women's sports began to be a visible and a viable aspect of the University of Oregon. The U of O women's sports were included but without much recognition. However, in 2011 the University of Oregon athletic department, in partnership with the Order of the O, recognized more than 400 former female student-athletes who did not receive their block letter "O" while competing during their college career. The banquet was attended by many families, friends and spectators who appreciated these talented women. The spirit of the "O" lite a candle on a new group of people and filled their cups with pride. Our Duck women sports are amongst the best in the nation. The U of O "Women in Flight" program is the only one of its kind. Its focus is University of Oregon Women's athletics.
The Order of the O membership had always been based on the criteria of earning a varsity letter in a UO athletic department sponsored sport. For the hundreds of athletes who earned their O, there are many who did not, but still competed for the Ducks. The board of the Order of the O realized that the passion, support and love for Ducks was not based on just earning a varsity letter, but rather is being a part of something much larger. It was at this time in 2000 that a petition process was adopted to allow former athletes who did not earn their letter to join the club. The board does not determine who earns a varsity letter but rather allows people the opportunity to continue to support the Ducks by joining the Order of the O.
Additionally, during this time, the board realized that there are many people who go the extra mile to help athletes at the U of O. The board of directors began recognizing these people by including them as Honorary Members. Each year at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet, the Order of the O recognizes a new Honorary Member based on their passion and love for the Ducks.
Since the structure and focus of the club changed in 1995, the primary reason why the OO was formed, for the current athletes, was lost. In 2022, with the emphasis of returning to the original goal of the Order when it was established in 1908, the board of directors made some changes. The 1908 bylaws were replaced with a Memorandum of Understanding forming a partnership between the Order of the O, the University of Oregon Alumni Association and the U of O Athletic Department. The primary mission; to serve the community of current and former student-athletes of the University of Oregon.
The Order of the O currently is a non-dues paying organization. The criteria to join is based on the individual's involvement in a University of Oregon Athletic Department sponsored sport or activity. All current and former women and men athletes who meet the criteria are involved. Our mission is to serve the athletes that create the University of Oregon's unique athletic legacy. By including the many people who have made the O their lifelong passion, the Order of the O continues to thrive. Our Duck Family is a community where all belong and are respected and remembered. Our legacy is planted with seeds that we cultivate to grow and experience throughout our lifetime. The depth of our relationshipsare equal the people we engage and have present in our hearts. It is how we show up that counts. The Order of the O continues to show up.
Once a Duck, ALWAYS a Duck!
Throughout the next several decades many male athletes continued to participate in the Order of the O. The varsity athletes would display their block "O" on their letter jackets and sweaters. The pride of wearing the Oregon emerald green and golden yellow was relative to the ever changing foliage of the Willamette Valley. The green rolling hills and forests, and the contrasting colors of the yellow and golds of the spring, summer and fall. These unique colors gave the University of Oregon's athletes a distinct variety of uniform colors.
As the late sixties and seventies approached, the appeal of wearing of letter jackets and sweaters became less popular. The involvement in the Order of the O changed. Less emphasis was put on the popular block O letter jackets and sweaters. In fact, it was rare to see athletes donning their prized award.
After the 1995 Rose Bowl, Bill Moos, then UO Athletic Director, was approached by former athletes, Dave Wilcox, Bob Donnelly, Rich Schwab and Doug Post about rekindling the Order of the O. However, they wanted to focus primarily on the former women and men letter winners. Bill agreed to the idea and for the next 28 years the club was entertained the former athletes but supported the current athletes and teams at home Football games with a tailgate hosting their members and guests. The club implemented a yearly membership fee plus offered a lifetime membership. The number of yearly members would vary each year between 500 to 800 members depending on the opportunity to buy Football "Bowl" tickets. Throughout the decades of U of O athletics there are thousands of former athletes, however the structure of the Order of the O only served a small percentage of the former Ducks and had limited female involvement.
As Title IX became law, women's sports began to be a visible and a viable aspect of the University of Oregon. The U of O women's sports were included but without much recognition. However, in 2011 the University of Oregon athletic department, in partnership with the Order of the O, recognized more than 400 former female student-athletes who did not receive their block letter "O" while competing during their college career. The banquet was attended by many families, friends and spectators who appreciated these talented women. The spirit of the "O" lite a candle on a new group of people and filled their cups with pride. Our Duck women sports are amongst the best in the nation. The U of O "Women in Flight" program is the only one of its kind. Its focus is University of Oregon Women's athletics.
The Order of the O membership had always been based on the criteria of earning a varsity letter in a UO athletic department sponsored sport. For the hundreds of athletes who earned their O, there are many who did not, but still competed for the Ducks. The board of the Order of the O realized that the passion, support and love for Ducks was not based on just earning a varsity letter, but rather is being a part of something much larger. It was at this time in 2000 that a petition process was adopted to allow former athletes who did not earn their letter to join the club. The board does not determine who earns a varsity letter but rather allows people the opportunity to continue to support the Ducks by joining the Order of the O.
Additionally, during this time, the board realized that there are many people who go the extra mile to help athletes at the U of O. The board of directors began recognizing these people by including them as Honorary Members. Each year at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet, the Order of the O recognizes a new Honorary Member based on their passion and love for the Ducks.
Since the structure and focus of the club changed in 1995, the primary reason why the OO was formed, for the current athletes, was lost. In 2022, with the emphasis of returning to the original goal of the Order when it was established in 1908, the board of directors made some changes. The 1908 bylaws were replaced with a Memorandum of Understanding forming a partnership between the Order of the O, the University of Oregon Alumni Association and the U of O Athletic Department. The primary mission; to serve the community of current and former student-athletes of the University of Oregon.
The Order of the O currently is a non-dues paying organization. The criteria to join is based on the individual's involvement in a University of Oregon Athletic Department sponsored sport or activity. All current and former women and men athletes who meet the criteria are involved. Our mission is to serve the athletes that create the University of Oregon's unique athletic legacy. By including the many people who have made the O their lifelong passion, the Order of the O continues to thrive. Our Duck Family is a community where all belong and are respected and remembered. Our legacy is planted with seeds that we cultivate to grow and experience throughout our lifetime. The depth of our relationshipsare equal the people we engage and have present in our hearts. It is how we show up that counts. The Order of the O continues to show up.
Once a Duck, ALWAYS a Duck!
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