Unusual Gesture Elicits Incredible Response

In an unusual series of events taking place over the last few weeks, the University of Oregon Athletics Department and (specifically) head football coach Chip Kelly have generated sizable goodwill capital. After a disappointing loss at Boise State to begin the season, one Oregon alumni and fan wrote the head coach to request a refund for the fans travel expenses from Portland to Boise. In a surprising response, the coach wrote the fan a check for the $439, which was later returned with a thank you note from the fan.

When coaches, especially those in high profile positions, reach out to alumni and donors in an unexpected way, the donors are typically impressed. After all, donor/coach interaction is the main reason so many coaches participate in fundraising events such as banquets and golf tournaments. However, one must wonder what the potential effects of Coach Kelly’s response may be to Oregon and other programs across the nation. Will enabling fans/donors such as this only elicit more complaints such as this in the future? In addition, how might this effect the development office at Oregon, and how might it change their relationship with this donor?

Time will tell if the coach’s response to the complaint will generate mass goodwill, or just more letters to the football offices. In either case, this gesture has certianly brought some positive PR to the Oregon Football team, and has made at least one fan a supporter of Coach Kelly for life.