Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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honored (✓those who had lettered in basketball throughout history. Photo by Jay CusUil TC. Green, Brent T i Barry Gary Payton, all OSU alumni and professional NBA basketball player , returned to 05U In order to kick-off the basketball season at Midnight Madness. Photo by Jay Cudal 4 uture OSU student received a lift from A.C. Green white making a slam dunk. midnigkL rmrin u °° 15

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Information provided by the Oregon State University Athletic Department fhOtO By GouU drawing to compete for as much cash as they could gather in one minute. This event was made even funnier by Gary Payton's slapstick comedy and amusing attitude. Mrtnight at Mler Court culminated with the introduction of the 1998-1999 OSU men's and women's basketbal teams, which were the reasons for this years Midnght Madness. A reason that goes far beyond fun and into strategy. The reason it is called midnight' Madness 6 that the basketbal teams are prohibited by NCAA regulations to practice before 12:01am on October 17. Because of this rule, coaches start practice on October 17 at 12:01 am in order to the most out of their teams The teams took to the floor and began their first official practice of the 1998-1999 basketball season. The premier of Mrfnight at Mier Court appeared to be a huge success with a good attendance by students and comnwiity members whom sustained enthusiasm throughout the entire event The athletic department hopes to make this event a permanent fixture at OSU each fall with their goal being to bnng the enthusiasm of long ago back to Mdler Court his year marked the introduction of the OSU version of Mdnight Madness. Midnighf at Mfcr Court The event featured many activities, inducing a mascot basketball game, a slam dunk contest and a relay race. The togh-fcght of the evening was the special appearances by some of OSU's finest alumni athletes. With the NBA players strke in progress, those in attendance had the opportunity to see former OSU basketball players. Gary Payton. A.C. Green, and Brent Barry. Payton. Green, and Barry served as MC's. coached the mascot basketbal game, and entertained the audience with their stand-up comedy. At one point in the evening each athlete was given the opportunity to display some of their superb athletic ability. The comical event of the evening was the mascot basketball game which featured several different mascots from the community. MacGruff the Dime Dog. Mr. Yuck from poison control, a Chicken, and a Pumpkin were some of the mascots present. The mascots were divided into two teams, and played a ten minute mini basketbal game. Mr. Yuck and the CeWar One cell phone gave the audience many laughs as neither costume was conducive to running up and down a basketball court. The slam dunk contest featured several afferent OSU students vying for the title of best dunk. Each student was given the opportunity to perform their best possible dunk. The dunks were then scored by Gay Payton. A.C. Green, and Brent Barry. Those in attendance received a special treat when the chanting of tlje audience coaxed Barry, the 1995 NBA slam dunk champion, into performing one of his legendary dunks. In addition to the relay race and a performance by the OSU Elite Dance Team, there was a Dash for Defers. The Dash for Dofars slowed those lucky individuals whose names were randomly chosen in a “MlgfeSs Story by Metnda Pl vs 4 oo CLudmL Li e

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Story by Genevieve R Moore resident Risser became the thirteenth presi-Mjtex of Oregon State University alter John I V. Byrne retired on December 31.1995. President Paul Risser is the thirteenth president of Oregon State University. Before Oregon State. Pres. Risser was the president of M ami University in Ohio. Before Miami University. Pres. Risser held administrative positions at the University of New Mexico. 1986-1992. headed the Illinois Natural History Survey.1981 -1986 and served on the University of Oklahoma faculty from 1967- HlOC© ty OoJJ 1981. Currently Pres, and Mrs. Risser spend their days meeting with committees, the legislature, entertaining, attending university functions and tackling major university issues ‘Last year, for 18 months. I was on a task force for the Greek community. This year I am currently involved with a community health initiative where we are looking at the alcohol issue.’ explained Mrs. Risser. Pres. Risser has been spending much of his time lobbying for higher education dunng legislative sessions. 1 get realy tired of having to defend higher education in this state, but I feel that we have been very effective in doing so. repSed Pres. Risser. 1 have my hopes up that we're likely to get more money this year than we got last year, maybe by quite a lot.’ One of the most important issues for Oregon State during the past few years has been enrolment. Various billboard and advertising campaigns have been launched by the university to encourage students to stay in state and attend Oregon State University. In addition to advertising. OSU has implemented new satefite programs which alow students to become enroled at Oregon State while attendhg courses through sateite universities or through the internet. These campaigns and programs have helped to raise Oregon State’s student enrollment to the highest it has been in years. However, enrollment is just one of the many issues facing OSU. The new millennium is 16 00 QiudenL lije rapidly approaching and with it comes concern for the millennium bug known as ‘Y2K’. When asked how Y2K prepared the university is. President Risser replied. ’We think pretty well. We've had a person who has had the full-time responsibility of trouble shooting for the university. I won't say that we won't have any glitches, but I think it is fckefy that they wB be very minor. Part of that is because, unlike some situations where people just continue to buy software that isn't Y2K okay. I think that software is not much of an issue for us. Y2K problems may be things like elevators.’ With issues like funding the university, increasing enrollment and Y2K preparation, one would think that the Risser's would have a list of least favorite responsfcities. But when asked what their least favorite part of being the President and First Lady of Oregon State was, Pres, and Mrs. Risser agreed that it was making choices 'My only least favorite part is that sometimes we have to make choices between where to go. I find that really drfficult because we fike to do it al actualy and try to give equal attention to each part.’ said Mrs Risser.