Damage to Reser field turf creates burning controversy

CORVALLIS — Talk about fanning the flames.

A post-Civil War fire allegedly set by Oregon Duck football fans has burned the “Beavers.” Literally.

“It’s pretty noticeable,” said Steve Fenk, an Oregon State University assistant athletic director. Not only is it noticeable, the burn marks on the ‘r’ of the “Beavers” logo in the middle of OSU’s football field could cost more than $5,000 to repair because the entire logo will have to be replaced, Fenk said. Otherwise, simply placing a patch of new turf on the burn marks would stand out from the older turf, he said.

Oregon State Police are looking for a young man who was wearing a No. 9 UO jersey and others surrounding him in a photograph that appeared in the Portland Tribune. The man can be seen waving a burning object that police say is likely a T-shirt or other article of clothing. Next to him is a man smoking what appears to be a small cigar. Police are hoping someone recognizes the man waving the burning item and others in the photograph, and that ultimately an arrest can be made.

It’s been a busy week in Corvallis for the state police. A pair of Duck fans face felony theft charges for stealing an oversized mascot head resembling ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso on Saturday.

If police catch the culprit in the turf burning, that, too, could be a felony, said Sgt. Vonn Schleicher of the state police’s OSU command. It could result in a criminal mischief felony with a maximum jail sentence of five years and a $125,000 fine, because the damage is estimated at more than $1,000 and the fire potentially endangered the crowd of mostly Duck fans who gathered on the field in post-game celebration of the UO’s 37-20 victory over the Beavers, Schleicher said. The victory propelled the Ducks into the BCS National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 10.

“One of our fears, if you start a fire on AstroTurf, it’s a plastic-based material that could potentially ignite,” Schleicher said. “We found a cigar wrapper down there. There were reports of folks down there lighting cigars, which would be common with going to a BCS bowl game. (But) how it got started, we don’t know yet.”

Whoever set the fire and caused the damage could also face charges of reckless burning, disorderly conduct and inciting a crowd, Schleicher said.

Fenk said the Beavers logo would not be repaired in time for Saturday’s 3 p.m. 6A state championship football game between Aloha and Tualatin high schools, but would likely be replaced in the off-season.