I'm not too worried. It was The Villard before it was the Wild Duck,
Puhlease. It was the Wild Duck on Sixth Street long before Bob opened the Villard, then changed the name to the Wild Duck.
That was before my (legal drinking) time. Was it always the spot everyone went to, other than only the local runners? Or did that start in 2008 because of the trials?
It’s a small sport. So small that the best athletes in the world can mingle with fans a few blocks away from Hayward Field. But also so small that this Hayward/Wild Duck magic only happens a few times a year.
In Eugene, basketball has always been THE college sport in town. It started with the Kamikaze Kids in the 70s. It was always more accurately described T&F Capital of Lane County despite the desperate bleating of a few.
It’s a small sport. So small that the best athletes in the world can mingle with fans a few blocks away from Hayward Field. But also so small that this Hayward/Wild Duck magic only happens a few times a year.
In Eugene, basketball has always been THE college sport in town. It started with the Kamikaze Kids in the 70s. It was always more accurately described T&F Capital of Lane County despite the desperate bleating of a few.
In Eugene, basketball has always been THE college sport in town. It started with the Kamikaze Kids in the 70s. It was always more accurately described T&F Capital of Lane County despite the desperate bleating of a few.
Things have changed since the '70s.
Really? Only that Oregon Football came into the picture since 1993.
2016 trials: running into dan o'brien in the bathroom--i criticized a couple of his co-commentators, and he laughingly agreed with every criticism, and even added a few criticisms of his own...
2016 trials: hootie 5k + breakfast bloody marys--a meal in itself--on the last saturday morning of the trials...
2016 trials: congratulating hassan mead while waiting in line to order a beer on "winning" the 5k and he laughingly nodded gratitude (even though he was technically beaten by lagat); funny now to think about that since mead has recently been suspended for drug use in his "retirement")...
2022 world champs trials: buying a beer for cooper teare, who remembered that one of my h.s. athletes rabbited him in his 4:00 mile his senior year. i then proceeded to give him $#!+ for drinking a miller ultra, congratulated him on his 1500m win, but told him he should ultimately focus on the 5k. he laughed, but i could tell he was rightfully a little annoyed, as if thinking "who is this drunken old man telling me what to do after i just won a national title in the 1500m?"
2022 world champs: ryan crouser walking into the wild duck to a standing ovation after winning gold in the shot, and giving a heartfelt speech as an oregon native...
2022 world champs: earning a free bloody mary after pointing out to the owner the misspelling of "standford" on his pac-12 distance-arrows sign (he knew the error, but made a point of rewarding anyone who noticed with a free drink)...
besides the usual hobnobbing (the upside of participating in a dying sport), way too many memories, and lots of laughter and trashtalk, with former and current teammates, former and current fellow competitors, and coaches from all over...
I'm not too worried. It was The Villard before it was the Wild Duck, so they'll probably just open a new pub in its place. If not, I like the Wild Goat nearby and they're open later. There was also at least one year between the closing of the Villard and construction of the building that Wild Duck is in that the hot spot was moved to another nearby place.
I guess I didn't realize that they were owned by the same people(?) In that case, it sucks.
Word on the street (social media) is that Ron Tabb is interested in opening a track-themed bar in Eugene. He has been saying this for years, but this could be the kick in the pants he needs to finally do it. I know he has a ton of his own memorabilia and is good friends with Dellinger, who might have some stuff for it too. And if we can talk Mike Fanelli into sharing some of his items from his track garage/museum, even better.
Puhlease. It was the Wild Duck on Sixth Street long before Bob opened the Villard, then changed the name to the Wild Duck.
That was before my (legal drinking) time. Was it always the spot everyone went to, other than only the local runners? Or did that start in 2008 because of the trials?
You were in diapers then.
The original Wild Duck was a huge venue, with dance/live acts and a stage covering perhaps 3000 sq feet, and the restaurant/sports bar on the other half. Acts like Dick Dale performed there.
Not sure if Wild Duck shut down when Bob opened Villard. I'll ask around.
Thanks for offering up some history on LRC, Malmo! This place has too many esteemed contributors that believe track was invented at Newbury Park High School in 2017 and that Cooper Teare was the first famous athlete to ever wear a Ducks uniform.
I liked breakfast before the meets last year. Decent quality, decent price, clean, well decorated and close to the stadium. Most places in town are grubby like the rest of the town.
It opened in the late 80s early 90s on Sixth Street. I gave you the history.
Its current incarnation opened in 2012 and became the sport for T+F hangers-on at that point.
To your point about Eugene being a basketball town, Rennie's has always been the spot for the real ones. Hence the Neil Everett (UO alum) Sportscenter call, "they'll be partying at Rennie's tonight!"
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