Employees advance the university’s purpose during playoffs

In the sea of green and yellow revelers cheering on the University of Oregon football team through its college playoffs run, there are a variety of employees wearing more than one hat as they support the team and the institution. They are fans and employees who work during the playoff season to seize the momentum and success of the football program to shine a bright light on all that makes the UO a point of pride for many and a destination of choice for future Ducks. 

Beyond the sports commentary and game preparation, there is a flock of Ducks who work during football playoffs and bowl game appearances to elevate the institution’s purpose, deepen existing connections and generate interest from new fans. The impact of their contributions continues long after a football season ends. 

This year, the Division of Student Services and Enrollment Management Office of Admissions collaborated with University Advancement and the UO Alumni Association to host engagement events at both the Orange Bowl and Peach Bowl. 

“We invited prospective and admitted students, along with their families and supporters from the local and surrounding areas, to connect with current University of Oregon students, families, staff and faculty,” said Stacie Irvin, director of SSEM events. These events provided an opportunity to gather, celebrate and honor the spirit that defines what it means to be a Duck.” 

The success and excitement surrounding the UO football team offer a great opportunity for campus colleagues to work together toward a shared goal of building community and fostering meaningful connections with people who are considering their options for higher education. The occasion provides a moment for prospective students and families to interact with many who have already established their Ducks connection, including alumni, UO leaders, faculty and staff. Those working behind the scenes make it happen through event planning, travel management, coordination and countless other required tasks. 

The Division of Student Life organizes service projects for the UO attendees, so the university can contribute to the communities where playoff games are played. At this year’s Orange Bowl, employees spent time giving back at the Green Haven Project — planting herbs, caring for their garden and supporting a community doing important work in downtown Miami.  

President Karl Scholz showed his gratitude in a recent LinkedIn post by sharing, “We rubbed shoulders and got dirt on our hands with our friends from Lubbock [Texas] in what was our 14th year doing a service project at a bowl site. Giving back and being of service is a core part of our teaching, research and impact mission. I am grateful to the UO Division of Student Life for its work organizing this fantastic event.” 

Sarah Rivas and Melanie Frederick manage and coordinate major events for Student Life and swiftly jump into action as soon as the playoff bracket is set and the destination for the Ducks becomes known. They pull off a small feat in record time. This team of two finds a service project partner at the local level, coordinates with the representatives from the university on the other side of the bracket and sorts out all the necessary logistics for a successful event. 

University Advancement employees deepen connections with donors and alumni as they gather in support of their favorite football team. Outreach and events are planned and executed throughout the playoffs to facilitate fan and staff travel experiences, pregame celebrations at the game site, and watch parties in cities across the country. This year, the tailgate events hosted approximately 300 fans at the Orange Bowl and 500 fans at the Peach Bowl.

Through it all, there is a University Communications team capturing photos, producing content, making social media posts and engaging with media outlets so all can enjoy the journey far and wide. 

“The work of attracting, recruiting and supporting talented Ducks from all over our state, the nation and the world is done by the collective contributions of members from all corners of campus and the community. The UO is a truly a place powered by people and our students, their families and supporters, and simply Ducks fans can feel that spirit from IntroDUCKtion through commencement,” said Derek Kindle, vice president for the Division of Student Services and Enrollment Management. 

Get a glimpse into the work taking place off the field and out of the spotlight

Olivia Manwarren, Admissions Counselor
Student Services and Enrollment Management

As an admissions counselor, I work with prospective and admitted students throughout the enrollment process. Based in Texas, my regional focus is in the southern United States. Representing UO at this year’s Orange Bowl in Florida aligned well with my work. 

Regional counselors like me host events for prospective students and their families throughout the year, which gives us an opportunity to share more about the university and answer specific questions. 

Playoff games present a unique opportunity to connect with admitted students who live in the region where the game is played. We leverage the excitement of the football playoffs and bowl games to engage with admitted students. As an alum myself, it is heartwarming to see so many members of our community, each with a unique connection to the UO, come together to share their experiences, build relationships and celebrate the way the UO has shaped us.

When I crossed paths in Miami with a current sophomore and her dad who attended an admitted-students reception I previously hosted, I was reminded that the UO community spans generations, geography and roles, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.  

Sarah Rivas, Director of Major Student Events 
Division of Student Life 

On behalf of Student Life, I plan and organize a variety of events for students, families and the campus community including New Student Convocation, Homecoming, University Day and Commencement. Over the years, we have intentionally integrated a commitment to service into our events because giving back is such an important part of what it means to be a Duck. 

I bring this same service-based focus during football playoffs by planning, coordinating and managing a community service project in the host city. This has become a meaningful tradition and an opportunity to demonstrate that Ducks care and give back. 

We strive to select projects that align with our institutional values and priorities. This year, at the Orange Bowl in Florida, we partnered with the Green Haven Project in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, where we helped build and plant raised herb beds to support their urban community garden. It was a small way to contribute to their mission to grow fresh food and expand access to healthy produce. 

While coordinating these projects involves many moving parts, it is incredibly rewarding to leave a positive mark on the communities we visit as Ducks pour into town for the game. 

Allie Cashen, Director of Social Media 
University Communications 

I lead the university’s institutional social strategy and oversee real-time storytelling during moments of heightened national attention. High-profile events like football playoff games generate significant spikes in interest in the University of Oregon, often reaching audiences encountering the institution for the first time. 

My role is to ensure that attention is used intentionally to communicate who we are and why we are distinctive, broadening perceptions beyond athletics to include academic strength, innovation and overall quality. College football playoff coverage consistently drives some of the highest engagement and follower growth on institutional channels, expanding our national audience and enabling sustained academic and institutional storytelling well beyond the games themselves.  

Shout out to Ben Schorzman and Charlie Litchfield who were on the ground with me, and to our University Communications colleagues based in Eugene who support strategy, content development and amplification before, during and after each event. This work is highly coordinated and collaborative, beginning weeks in advance and continuing through post-event coverage. 

Shannon Rose-Peterson, Director, Alumni Initiatives 
University Advancement

My role with the UO Alumni Association is to develop and manage large-scale engagement programs that give alumni the chance to connect with the University of Oregon. There are many programs throughout the year, but football season is a major draw for alumni and energizes their engagement. 

From watch parties to tailgates to reunions to fan travel, I work with an amazing set of colleagues within UOAA and across the institution to keep people informed and coordinated throughout the football season with a clear goal — deliver a memorable experience for graduated Ducks to keep them connected and engaged. 

Our efforts culminate in the postseason as we work at a feverish pace in a short amount of time to offer and oversee an on-site fan experience specifically for UO alumni at playoff games. People are excited to cheer on their alma mater and looking for community to share their excitement with, and I get the joy on seeing them find that experience.  

The engagement and enthusiasm Ducks have during the football season carries forward as alumni seek out other alumni programs, events and opportunities.

Shout out of gratitude to the Ducks behind this important work