Just Autzen

[ Before the game against Utah, this article appeared on ESPN.com. It was the usual story about Autzen Stadium and it's reputation as a tough place to play. The visiting team prepares during practice by piping in loud music through large speakers blah, blah, blah.
But this story had one extra bit that was news to me. Did you know Autzen had a nickname? Here's the excerpt . . . .]

Utah's Whittingham thinks Cain will be unrattled

September 18, 2009 7:00 PM

Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson

As a head coach, Kyle Whittingham has never taken a rookie quarterback into a hostile environment such as the one he’ll take junior college transfer Terrance Cain into this weekend.

Oregon’s Autzen Stadium, which is aptly dubbed "The House of Loud" for its raucous environment, is one of the toughest places in the country to play. . . . .

["The House of Loud"?  Aptly dubbed, you say?  So I'm asking, "Who dubbed it so aptly and when? Because I have never heard of that. And if I had, I would not have repeated or encouraged it in any way.

I scrolled down to the comment section and immediately found these two Duck fans who spoke well on the subject . . . .

The first comment:
Please don't ever use the phrase "house of loud" again. It is atrocious , and an embarrassment. Some fan tried to market that on T-shirts and was vilified for it, and that was quickly retired alongside Roboduck, ####-yellow/grellow helmets, and the edge defense. Ducks hate that, we never say it.
On the same token, please refrain from ever also saying "the Autzen Zoo" and "Duck Nation," as both idiotic phrases make us cringe.
It's just Autzen.
Simple. Poignant. Impressive.
And we're happy with the one word moniker.
Autzen. Simple enough, just stick with that.

Followed by this one:

"House of Loud"? Give me a break. What doofus told you to call Autzen that? Autzen is loud, very loud, but that is a name some goofballs started calling Autzen in an attempt to brand it that and probably make a profit off the name. Any real nickname needs to come from fans and through genuine inspiration -- not out of lust for $$$. Just my 2 cents for what it is worth.

Bravo. Thank you for setting straight Mr. Graham Watson, writer for ESPN (Eastern Snobby People's Network), who obviously doesn't know much about Autzen, Eugene, Oregon or Ducks.  


I particularly like the line, "It's just Autzen. Simple. Poignant. Impressive."


In fact I think Autzen is a word we should add to our glossary. In the same way that 'Blount' can refer to an immediate punch to the face in response to a stupid statement or action, 'Autzen' as a metaphore can refer to that which is unbearably loud. A Loud, deliberate noise intended to distract or disrupt.


"My wife was upset when I drove home with a brand new motorcycle. She ran out of the house yelling at me about how I don't have a job and we're a month behind on bills. But I just autzened her out by revving the engine.  That's when she blounted me."]
--kb