The Oregon Ducks are heading into a new era and a new conference and there’s one man who deserves a lot of recognition for that. Tony Petitti, the commissioner of the Big Ten conference, is a key reason why the Ducks (along with the Washington Huskies) were able to get into the Big Ten.
"On August 2nd we officially welcome the University of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and the University of Washington into the Big Ten Conference,” Petitti bragged. These AAU member institutions are leaders in scholarship, innovation, scientific advancements and athletic excellence."
During the 2024 Big Ten Media Days, Petitti unsurprisingly addressed the way the Big Ten has stretched out to reach both coasts and the way the expanded footprint of the conference adds a ton of strength for all involved.
"Our new line-up has more premiere matchups week to week than ever before: Ohio State at Oregon, Penn State at USC, Washington at Iowa. And that's just on October 12th," Petitti said.
Oregon football: Ducks welcomed into Big Ten by conference commissioner Tony Petitti during Big Ten Media Days
October 12 should be a pretty fun Saturday to watch some football. But as a whole, there’s a lot to be excited about for Oregon football fans and Big Ten football fans. And for the conference as a whole (expanding beyond football). It sure seems like Petitti is thrilled with how well-rounded the four West Coast members of the Big Ten are.
"Together they have won 302 NCAA team championships and will have 49 Olympians on Team USA in Paris,” Petitti said.
That’s a lot to be happy about. The Ducks have done a lot to contribute in those areas, especially when it comes to Olympic sports and the number of Olympians competing in Paris this year. So there’s a lot for everyone to be happy about right now. Unless you didn’t get the invite into the Big Ten, that is.
But Oregon did! And that’s great! And it seems like the Big Ten is committed to helping Oregon (and the other West Coast teams) fit in.
"A lot of work had been done to integrate USC, UCLA. We started that work over immediately when we added Oregon and Washington," Petitti explained.
For Oregon football fans, this move into a new conference presents exciting new opportunities at high profile rivalries and challenges like the traditional Midwest powerhouse programs like the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, and Penn State Nittany Lions.
Oh, and there will still be some West Coast games, like against Washington, USC, and UCLA. Plus, non-conference games exist to help continue regional games, like against Boise State and Oregon State. Things are pretty great for Oregon football right now.