A man in a green Oregon tank top wears a gold chain with a duck on the end, wearing sunglasses. A young boy makes an O with his hands. A middle aged woman wears a sequined hat that looks like an orange duck bill with a green and black bow on top and a fluffy white head on top while making an O with her hands.

Ducks fans show out for Oregon football’s postseason run

January 20, 2026

Oregon’s 2025–26 football season was historic in many ways, marked by the UO’s second year in the Big Ten, second-consecutive College Football Playoff run, and first-ever appearances at the Orange Bowl and the Peach Bowl. 

While Oregon’s postseason journey stopped one game shorter than we’d hoped, we remain incredibly proud of what the student-athletes and coaches accomplished and grateful to the UO alumni and fans who supported them along the way.  

An older woman with short gray hair wears a green Oregon shirt, and green and yellow beads around her neck while making an O with her hands and smiling at the camera.
Two children in yellow long sleeve shirts hold signs above their heads. The one on the left says Don't Mess with Texas with a red line crossing out Texas, and the right sign says Unless You're a Duck, with the Oregon Ducks logo in the center.

From travel packages through Ducks Fan Travel and pre-game Mighty Oregon Tailgates, to watch parties across the globe, and more, the UO Alumni Association created opportunities for Ducks to flock together all football season long—and they showed up loud and proud, week after week.  

As we bid farewell to football season (for now), we’re excited to highlight moments where we witnessed Duck pride on full display. We know there are many other moments we didn’t witness, and we’d love to hear about those too. If you have a story of unwavering Duck pride, please send it to us. We’d love to hear from you. 

A bus full of Ducks fans wearing green make Os with their hands, holding them above their heads and into the aisle.

Flocking East 

The UO Alumni Association’s Ducks Fan Travel program brings Ducks together, celebrating beloved Oregon traditions in new destinations. This season, alumni and fans embarked on three unforgettable trips to State College, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia.  

In addition to Oregon football games, each city offered its own unique experiences—from Hershey’s Chocolate World in Pennsylvania, to South Beach in Miami, and the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Ducks Fan Travel tours help alumni and fans make the most of their stays, while enjoying the company of fellow Ducks.  

Kristine Grimes, class of 2013, and her mom, Melanie Grimes, participated in all three Ducks Fan Travel tours this football season. Kristine said the excitement of cheering on the Ducks while discovering a new city keeps them coming back.  

“I enjoy seeing the country. Getting to go to all these fun places and support the team is the best thing to do,” she said. “[Plus], I love how easy you guys make everything. It’s so nice knowing everything is taken care of, and the experiences are so fun."

Click here to view the video transcript as a PDF. 

A group of Duck fans sit at a table at the Mighty Oregon Tailgate in front of a large photo of the back of Dante Moore's tie-dye jersey.

Tailgating, the Mighty Oregon way 

Another favorite tradition for cheering on the Ducks from the road is the UO Alumni Association’s Mighty Oregon Tailgate, which brings together UO alumni and friends ahead of select away games, creating a home away from Autzen.  

This fall, the UOAA hosted thousands at Mighty Oregon Tailgates at Penn State, Washington, the Orange Bowl, and the Peach Bowl. Molly Paustian, BS ’89 (marketing), and her husband, Jeff Paustian, BS ’89 (speech rhetoric and communication), attended the tailgate in Atlanta. Molly said there’s something intangibly special about being a Duck, and you can feel that energy at a Mighty Oregon Tailgate. 

“It’s family... It’s our connections. It’s who we are,” she said. “You wear green and yellow, you walk into a room, and everybody throws up the O.” 

A group of Ducks fans pose on an outside patio at a watch party, smiling at the camera and making Os with their hands.

Ducks together, coast-to-coast 

While nothing beats cheering on the Ducks in person, watch parties offer the next best thing: flocking together with fellow Ducks close to home. UOAA chapters hosted watch parties in 30 cities across the country and the world, bringing UO alumni and fans together across time zones.  

Stacey Moniz volunteers with the Hawai’i Ducks chapter, coordinating their Maui watch parties. As the parent of a UO alumna, Moniz said she enjoys connecting with fellow Duck parents and families and cheering on Oregon together. 

“It’s been such a joy connecting with local families whose kids attend Oregon, just like my daughter and son-in-law, who she met there,” she said. “We cheer on an incredible team that keeps rising nationally, and our parties keep growing! The Kahului Ale House has been amazing hosts, and it’s heartwarming to see our Duck pride light up the island. Being an Oregon parent and sharing that spirit with my Maui community is priceless.” 

Stacey Moniz poses with two young boys, one of whom is putting on a green Ducks football helmet.

Stacey Moniz (left) poses for a photo with her daughter, Haley Callahan, BS '07 (psychology), and her two grandsons, La`akea and Kamalu.

The Oregon Duck poses in front of a blue sky and palm trees.

We’re just getting started 

As we bid farewell for now to college football, we extend a special thank you to all Oregon alumni and fans who helped make it special and fostered community with fellow Ducks along the way.  

The 2026 football season is sure to bring even more excitement, and the UOAA team is already hard at work planning travel offerings, tailgates, reunions, and more. Registration for those experiences will open later this year, after the 2026 football schedule is announced. 

Until then, we have a variety of other opportunities to connect with your UO community all year long. From regional chapter and affinity network events, to opportunities for networking and professional development through the Duck Career Network, our Alumni Book Club, special rewards for our members, and more—there's something for everyone. Let us know what you’re most interested in, and we’ll help you get plugged into the UO alumni community.

Get involved with the UOAA

—By April Miller, UO Alumni Association associate director of marketing and communications