EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks are preparing to make a leap in their first season in the Big Ten Conference. Oregon State joins USC, UCLA and Washington in the Big Ten Conference this season.
This season not only presents many challenges, such as playing against unfamiliar programs, but also increases travel time. These teams on the West Coast are no longer an hour away on a plane to their next game, they have to travel across the country.
After the change to the Big Ten, various athletes expressed concerns that their flight distances would increase. One of these athletes was former Oregon State softball player Terra McGowan.
“Has anyone thought about the impact that conference realignment will have on the quality of life for student-athletes? We’re asking them to travel across the country every other weekend while balancing school and social life. We need to talk about this,” read McGowan's social media post from August 2023.
Ten of Oregon State's 20 sports currently do not play a Pac-12 schedule and will not play a Big Ten schedule.
“The biggest impact will be on men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball,” Oregon's website states. “Tennis (men's and women's), baseball, softball, and lacrosse are not significantly affected by the increased number of travel days.”
According to the University of Oregon, the programs most affected by the conference realignment (men's and women's basketball and volleyball) will “receive three to four additional travel days.” It is hoped that these additional travel days and the addition of support staff to accompany the team will give our student-athletes the time they need to recover and prepare for the cross country competition.
Oregon State's complete men's and women's basketball and volleyball schedules have been released. These schedules include a matchup against a school 4,482 miles away (Rutgers). Travel times to Michigan State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Pennsylvania State, Maryland, and Rutgers are all over four hours of flight time.
“We are in a unique period of rapid change that is dramatically changing our model,” Oregon State Athletic Director Rob Mullens said. “So as we strengthen during this period of NIL and immediate transfer… What they want and what they don't want.” I don't know if this is what I see (happening), but what I do know is that all of the great things about a broad-based athletics department are still there. ”
The Oregon State football program will continue its schedule with only five road games per regular season. Oregon's road games this season will be at Oregon State, UCLA, Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Only three of the five road games will be in the Midwest.
“Our athletic department really cares about our student-athletes,” Oregon State softball player Paige Sinicki said. “I was able to talk to so many people in the athletic department and realized how much I was cared for as a student-athlete here at the University of Oregon. Just knowing that will help me get through anything next year. ” Whether it's travel or not, they're going to find a way for us to be successful. ”
Oregon State has made it clear that of all the factors involved in conference realignment, the health and success of its student-athletes is its primary concern.
“The student-athlete experience is our top priority, and obviously travel is part of that,” Mullens said. “We are confident that we will find a good solution to ensure we find the right balance for our student-athletes.”
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