Photo by: Karl Maasdam
Onward, Beaver Nation!
November 26, 2024 | General
Dear Beaver Nation,
Were your eyes fixed on Everett Hayes as he readied himself for the 55-yard game-winning field goal? Or did you turn away, too nervous to watch but breathlessly hoping to hear a roar from within Reser Stadium? I elected to watch closely, thinking about the journey of this year's senior class, a group of young men that helped to rebuild our football program, played through the 2020 COVID season, a coaching transition, an industry evolution, and conference realignment.
This senior football class, and each of our fall sport senior classes, are full of powerful stories: individuals from in-state living out their childhood dream of being a Beav; highly-touted recruits who have met lofty expectations; young people who have overcome injuries and setbacks to once again rise; and walk-ons whose relentless commitment to growth resulted in life-changing scholarships. As a group, they embody what it means to be a Beaver and their success, grit, unwavering tenacity and loyalty have made all of Beaver Nation proud.
This fall has seen several successes, from the dramatic victory over Washington State in football to the men's soccer program advancing to the NCAA Tournament. That postseason berth was the second in as many seasons at the helm for Oregon State Wicks-Street Head Men's Soccer Coach Greg Dalby. Beaver Nation has once again shown up in force to support, with multiple sellouts in football and men's soccer. The BeaverDam student section continues to raise the bar, as they showed up in full force at fall events and set the single-game men's basketball student attendance record last week.
While our student-athletes persist with their academic and athletic pursuits, we continue to progress in the quest to build a bold and new Pac-12 Conference. Since I last wrote to you, it was announced that Gonzaga University will join the conference in July 2026. Additionally, the Pac-12 announced a partnership with Octagon, a leader in sports marketing and media rights procurement. Octagon will guide the Pac-12 through the evolving media rights landscape, ensuring the conference secures the best possible opportunities and strategic media rights partnerships.
The expansion strategy, which began with Oregon State and Washington State, has been executed deliberately and strategically under the direction of Commissioner Teresa Gould. The criteria being utilized during this process aligns considerably with our own guiding principles that were developed at the onset of realignment.
We are now in a position of strength. The Pac-12 has assembled a group of institutions poised to build the new era of the 100-year-old conference's legacy. Oregon State and Washington State – together with the six new members – are a formidable athletics conference prepared to compete at the highest levels of collegiate football, men's and women's basketball, and across multi-bid men's and women's Olympic sports.
The eight members are a formidable collection, prepared to compete at the highest level in every sport. The conference will once again rely on established criteria to determine who is worthy of adding to meet the required NCAA minimum of eight full-time, football-playing members and assess the value of adding beyond that number. That decision, as well as that of media rights for Oregon State and Washington State in 2025-26 and media rights for the Pac-12 in 2026 and beyond, will be done judiciously and with an emphasis on getting it right rather than rushing.
As the Pac-12 rebuild charges forward, we have spent months monitoring the House vs NCAA class action lawsuit. The preliminary settlement was approved in the U.S. District Court on October 7, 2024, and has a final approval hearing on April 7, 2025. Under the settlement terms, these are the key changes that will go into effect July 1, 2025:
In order for us to participate at a significant level in revenue sharing with student-athletes, it is essential that we implement OSUnited, a comprehensive, modernized program focused on maximizing direct student-athlete benefits. There will be multiple strategies to support this program, and we are eager to announce the details soon. The OSU Foundation, is fully committed to this endeavor and will play a key role in leveraging philanthropic support as we enter this new era. I am grateful for the collaboration, and I am certain Beaver Nation will be excited to learn of new opportunities to support our student-athletes while enjoying experiences and connectivity with others who generously give.
We are eager to announce the details of OSUnited soon, but we have been asked by many what they can do now to show their support:
The industry is evolving, the Pac-12 is rebuilding, and we are doing the same – forging ahead with the mindset that this is an excellent opportunity we must seize with boldness and innovation. With a new era upon us, we are continuously grateful for the support Beaver Nation shows.
Â
As Everett's kick cleared the uprights, I looked around Reser Stadium, absorbing the reaction of our student-athletes, coaches and Beaver Nation. The future will be filled with more moments like we experienced together in Reser Stadium on Saturday night. Onward, Beaver Nation!
Â
Â
Go Beavs!
Scott Barnes
Â
Â
Were your eyes fixed on Everett Hayes as he readied himself for the 55-yard game-winning field goal? Or did you turn away, too nervous to watch but breathlessly hoping to hear a roar from within Reser Stadium? I elected to watch closely, thinking about the journey of this year's senior class, a group of young men that helped to rebuild our football program, played through the 2020 COVID season, a coaching transition, an industry evolution, and conference realignment.
This senior football class, and each of our fall sport senior classes, are full of powerful stories: individuals from in-state living out their childhood dream of being a Beav; highly-touted recruits who have met lofty expectations; young people who have overcome injuries and setbacks to once again rise; and walk-ons whose relentless commitment to growth resulted in life-changing scholarships. As a group, they embody what it means to be a Beaver and their success, grit, unwavering tenacity and loyalty have made all of Beaver Nation proud.
This fall has seen several successes, from the dramatic victory over Washington State in football to the men's soccer program advancing to the NCAA Tournament. That postseason berth was the second in as many seasons at the helm for Oregon State Wicks-Street Head Men's Soccer Coach Greg Dalby. Beaver Nation has once again shown up in force to support, with multiple sellouts in football and men's soccer. The BeaverDam student section continues to raise the bar, as they showed up in full force at fall events and set the single-game men's basketball student attendance record last week.
While our student-athletes persist with their academic and athletic pursuits, we continue to progress in the quest to build a bold and new Pac-12 Conference. Since I last wrote to you, it was announced that Gonzaga University will join the conference in July 2026. Additionally, the Pac-12 announced a partnership with Octagon, a leader in sports marketing and media rights procurement. Octagon will guide the Pac-12 through the evolving media rights landscape, ensuring the conference secures the best possible opportunities and strategic media rights partnerships.
The expansion strategy, which began with Oregon State and Washington State, has been executed deliberately and strategically under the direction of Commissioner Teresa Gould. The criteria being utilized during this process aligns considerably with our own guiding principles that were developed at the onset of realignment.
We are now in a position of strength. The Pac-12 has assembled a group of institutions poised to build the new era of the 100-year-old conference's legacy. Oregon State and Washington State – together with the six new members – are a formidable athletics conference prepared to compete at the highest levels of collegiate football, men's and women's basketball, and across multi-bid men's and women's Olympic sports.
- The new Pac-12 composition is 5th in terms of weeks ranked in the CFP poll, as well as in hypothetical 12-team CFP appearances [during the CFP era - when modeling past seasons with conference composition as of September 2024].
- Despite having only 7 football members in the new Pac-12, less than half of the A4/P4 leagues that have 16-18 teams each.
- The new Pac-12 would rank 5th in football viewership [2018-2023, excluding 2020], significantly ahead of the 6th ranked conference.
- The new Pac-12 would place 5th in the SP+ Football Rankings [2018-2023, excluding 2020], sitting close to the ACC and Big 12.
- The new Pac-12 would rank as the 6th best basketball conference according to the 24-25 Bart Torvik rankings.
The eight members are a formidable collection, prepared to compete at the highest level in every sport. The conference will once again rely on established criteria to determine who is worthy of adding to meet the required NCAA minimum of eight full-time, football-playing members and assess the value of adding beyond that number. That decision, as well as that of media rights for Oregon State and Washington State in 2025-26 and media rights for the Pac-12 in 2026 and beyond, will be done judiciously and with an emphasis on getting it right rather than rushing.
As the Pac-12 rebuild charges forward, we have spent months monitoring the House vs NCAA class action lawsuit. The preliminary settlement was approved in the U.S. District Court on October 7, 2024, and has a final approval hearing on April 7, 2025. Under the settlement terms, these are the key changes that will go into effect July 1, 2025:
- Up to $20.5 million in revenue sharing to student-athletes to support student-athlete benefits. These benefits can be in the form of direct compensation for the use of their of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), Alston academic rewards, additional scholarships, new student-athlete benefits provided at the institution's discretion, etc. Currently, student-athletes can only receive scholarships and be compensated for NIL agreements by external entities.
- Roster and Scholarship Adjustments: New NCAA roster limits will set a cap on the number of student-athletes eligible for each team, and programs will now be permitted to fund as many scholarships as available roster spots.
- NIL Backpay for Eligible Athletes: All Division I athletes who participated in collegiate sports between 2016 and 2024 are eligible for backpay for NIL earnings. For Oregon State, this expense will result in a deduction in conference distributions.
In order for us to participate at a significant level in revenue sharing with student-athletes, it is essential that we implement OSUnited, a comprehensive, modernized program focused on maximizing direct student-athlete benefits. There will be multiple strategies to support this program, and we are eager to announce the details soon. The OSU Foundation, is fully committed to this endeavor and will play a key role in leveraging philanthropic support as we enter this new era. I am grateful for the collaboration, and I am certain Beaver Nation will be excited to learn of new opportunities to support our student-athletes while enjoying experiences and connectivity with others who generously give.
We are eager to announce the details of OSUnited soon, but we have been asked by many what they can do now to show their support:
- Contribute to the OSU Athletics Fund for Excellence, which plays a crucial role in sustaining continued success for our student-athletes, alumni and fans.
- Invest in the purchase of season, mini-plan or single game tickets.
- Support the Dam Nation Collective with the purchase of a membership.
- Watch televised and streamed events.
- Download the Beavers Mobile App, follow us on YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram and engage with our content.
- Advocate for our programs by encouraging others to join in these options, consider transferring tickets you are unable to use to family, friends or someone who has never attended an Oregon State event and share your opinion about the value of Oregon State Athletics and its impact in your life, our communities and throughout the Beaver State.
The industry is evolving, the Pac-12 is rebuilding, and we are doing the same – forging ahead with the mindset that this is an excellent opportunity we must seize with boldness and innovation. With a new era upon us, we are continuously grateful for the support Beaver Nation shows.
Â
As Everett's kick cleared the uprights, I looked around Reser Stadium, absorbing the reaction of our student-athletes, coaches and Beaver Nation. The future will be filled with more moments like we experienced together in Reser Stadium on Saturday night. Onward, Beaver Nation!
Â
Â
Go Beavs!
Scott Barnes
Â
Â
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