Civil War ends (again): 10 potential names for Oregon-Oregon State rivalry

Civil War is no more between the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers.

A longstanding college athletics rivalry between Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers has been known as the ‘Civil War’ for years. Now, that will no longer be the case, as the University of Oregon and Oregon State University‘s athletic departments have agreed to change the name of their historic rivalry series.

“Today’s announcement is not only right but is a long time coming, and I wish to thank former Duck great Dennis Dixon for raising the question and being the catalyst for change,” said Oregon Director of Athletics Rob Mullens. “Thanks also to our current student-athletes for their leadership and input during this process.”

“We must all recognize the power of words and the symbolism associated with the Civil War. This mutual decision is in the best interests of both schools, and I would like to thank Scott Barnes for his diligence as we worked through this process. We look forward to our continued and fierce in-state rivalry with Oregon State in all sports.”

“As you likely know, “Civil War” has been used for football and basketball games — and other sports competition — between OSU and UO since the phrase was first referenced in the 1930s,” wrote Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray.

“Changing this name is overdue as it represents a connection to a war fought to perpetuate slavery. While not intended as reference to the actual Civil War, OSU sports competition should not provide any misconstrued reference to this divisive episode in American history.”

“In recent years, some students, faculty, alumni, student-athletes, OSU stakeholders and community members have questioned the appropriateness of this term. That we did not act before to change the name was a mistake. We do so now, along with other important actions to advance equal opportunity and justice for all and in recognition that Black Lives Matter.”

Civil War will be called something else when Oregon and Oregon State play.

This isn’t the first time a major college rivalry series has had its name changed. The Georgia/Florida rivalry used to be known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”, but both universities have distanced themselves from that nickname of the neutral-site affair down in Jacksonville because the name clearly condones excess drinking.

The Oklahoma/Texas rivalry used to be called “The Red River Shootout”, but has become “The Red River Rivalry” because the universities don’t want to attach their names to anything condoning gun violence. While the Civil War rivalry series was never meant to have any attachment to the war between the Union and the Confederacy, it still reminds people of a war fought over slavery.

Because these are the two flagship universities in Oregon and two of the most prominent members of the Pac-12, this rivalry series needs an epic name. It also needs to be exceedingly Oregonian to best reflect the one-of-a-kind state Oregon is. Here are some suggestions from yours truly the state must consider for its epic college sports rivalry series.

• War on the Willamette (River runs through both Eugene and Corvallis)
• The Bowl of Milk (state beverage)
• The Meadowlark Melee (state bird)
• The Dungeness Crab Confrontation (state crustacean)
• Square Dance (state dance)
• Salmon Skirmish (state fish)
• The Hazelnut Bowl sponsored by Nutella (state nut)
• The Thunderegg Bowl (state rock)
• The Shoe-per Bowl (Nike and Adidas)
• The Other Rose Bowl (they love roses in Oregon)

Of course, none of those names will be used, although I did like at least two of them, especially Square Dance. No matter what Oregon and Oregon State come up with, it won’t be as straightforward as the Civil War. If they can play for One-Eyed Willy’s treasure chest in the Battle of Inferno, we would welcome that as long as Sean Astin does the ceremonial coin flip. Rudy! Rudy!

Changing the name of the Civil War to something else is as exciting as what NHL Seattle will be called.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.