Alumni and athletes flock together in new podcast

Ducks fans know the legendary Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, but what is he up to now and what are his thoughts on the current Oregon team?

That’s the type of material that Connor Bussey, BS ’19 (business administration), and Adam Faris, BS ’20 (general social science), are uncovering on Ducks of a Feather, while bridging the gap between Oregon Ducks football, athletes, and fans. After finding success in the short-form content world, earning more than two million followers across several social media accounts, the entrepreneurs are expanding to long-form content. 

As producers on the new podcast, Bussey and Faris work behind the scenes to support former Oregon Ducks star running backs and hosts of the podcast, Kenjon Barner, BA ’12 (general social science), and Jonathan Stewart, class of 2008. 

“We’ve wanted to put together an athlete podcast for a long time with the Oregon athletes at the center and us both being so passionate about sports—the timing seemed perfect,” says Bussey. “It’s a passion project. We know all the history of all the players and grew up watching them. Between the twentieth anniversary of the branding of the Oregon "O", the launch of the book Innovation U, and the inspiration for the design of the latest What the Duck Dunks, we've uncovered rich stories that we know fans want to hear."

Bussey and Faris have previously worked with Division Street, a sports venture company that supports name, image, and likeness programs for UO student athletes. Their goal with Ducks of a Feather is to bring UO alums and Ducks fans new insight into the lives of athletes on and off the field, and to help former athletes reconnect with their alma mater.

“We want to go further than just, ‘these are athletes,’” says Faris. “They’re just like you and I, and they have lives outside of sports. There’s this huge idea that they’re celebrities ... but there’s some who live normal lives but are still doing cool stuff.” 

Making sure that these athletes, who have literally given their blood, sweat, and tears to the university and the sport they love, don’t fall into obscurity is another goal. Bussey and Faris hope that Ducks of a Feather will bring former UO athletes back into the limelight, garnering them new fans and opportunities. 

“We want to be able to support these former athletes . . . and highlight their accomplishments,” Faris says. “We want them to really feel like there's a reinvestment back into what they're doing even past their time in Oregon.” 

Listeners of the podcast can expect the perfect balance of nostalgia for past times, present analysis, and future insight. There’s something for everyone of any age and hosts Barner and Stewart bring their perspective and humor to each episode. 

“They have such a good chemistry,” Bussey says. “They're funny, but they know what they're talking about. They can break down every single play.” 

Industry experts like head football coach Dan Lanning, as well as familiar faces such as former Oregon and NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger, BS '10 (economics), have already made appearances on the podcast. Paysinger’s story dives deep into his experience as co-director of All American, a long-standing TV show based on his own life. 

“It’s the perfect example of this guy who excelled in college, went to the NFL for a little bit, but now he's a director for this very well-known TV show,” Faris says. “That was a very cool moment to talk to him about that.” 

Bringing something new and exciting to every new episode each week is sometimes daunting, but Bussey and Faris are always up for the challenge. Despite the intensity of navigating logistics for long-form content, the duo feel that their risk has paid off. 

“They love these guys,” Bussey says about the audience’s reaction so far. “I was just blown away by the comments. I remember we were just sitting there hitting refresh like, ‘wow, they're just so many people who are passionate about football’. It was just fun to be able to bring them something that they can enjoy every week before the games.” 

“When you hit a specific fan base ... it sounds cheesy, but it hits different,” Faris adds. “It feels like you're striking an emotional chord with somebody.”

Today, Bussey and Faris live in New York City, where they remain connected to the UO through their work and thanks to the New York chapter of the UO Alumni Association. Wherever they go, they bleed green and yellow and can always be counted on to support Ducks athletes both on the field and in their personal lives. You can find the latest episodes of "Ducks of a Feather" on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, and Bussey and Faris promise the podcast will continue to push boundaries, making each episode better than the last.

 — By Rosie Martin, Advancement communications associate, Olivia Arciniega, UO Alumni Association student writer and editor, and Sage Kiernan-Sherrow, Advancement editorial and communications specialist