If you need Exhibit A of schools spending exorbitant amounts of money to attract recruits, here’s a video tour of the Oregon football program’s swanky night club locker room. Sophomore quarterback Bryan Bennett takes us on a “Cribs”-like walk through of the two-leveled hangout. And, in true Ducks fashion, it is the epitome of gaudiness and materialism.
The entire space is littered with Oregon mantras and emblems, enormous images of former players and reminders of past victories. The lockers have wood-paneled doors, metal shelving on the inside and individual ventilation systems to combat mustiness from pads, shoes and sweat-drenched clothing. The upper level of lockers has a balcony so players can listen in when Chip Kelly gives a pep talk from the adjacent lounge area. Then there’s also the lighting system that makes it so the players’ eyes don’t have to adjust when they go outside. I. Know.
Of course Nike founder Phil Knight also has his own locker, in case, you know, he ever wants to strap on the pads one day. That’s not the only presence Uncle Phil has in the locker room. There’s also a metal-engraved dedication plaque with the likeness of the university’s billionaire benefactor in his trademark shades, creepily watching the players with a huge grin.
Try being a recruit on a visit to Eugene and not getting blown away by a state-of-the-art locker room that also happens to have the ambiance of a hot L.A. nightspot. (This is not to be confused with the trashy strip-club vibe of SMU’s locker room.)
H/T The Dish
PICTURES OF OREGON FOOTBALL’S LOCKER ROOM
