Who are the Quackers and what do they believe?

The University of Oregon is known for its world-class distance running program. Phil Knight was a student there and Bill Bowerman a track-and-field coach; together, they founded Nike. Bowerman used a waffle iron to create the modern running shoe. Steve Prefontaine, one of the world's best distance runners and a catalyst of the 1970s running craze, went to the University of Oregon.

So, one might be forgiven to think track and cross-country fans of U of O, whose mascot is the Ducks, are referred to as "Quackers." This would be wrong. For although running is the purist sport God ever created, it is relatively boring to watch. Sadly, the birthplace of modern running, like most major colleges in the United States, bows down to the almighty, revenue-generating, skull-cracking shrine of football. It is football that treats students like celebrities and pays coaches more money than university presidents. And it is the football fans of the University of Oregon who are occasionally known as "Quackers."

Incidentally, my uncle played college football in Oregon. He doesn't bow down to any shrine, however, as he's Quaker.

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