Moving forward, there won’t be any more “Civil War” matchups in the state of Oregon.

That’s the latest news from the state as Oregon and Oregon State have mutually agreed the term should not be used to promote the in-state rivalry. The rivalry has been referred to as the “Civil War” dating back to the 1930s.

The two programs have met over 100 times on the football field, with the first matchup in the series taking place in 1894. Oregon holds the all-time edge in the series with a 66-47-10 record against Oregon State.

Here’s the statement offered up by Oregon State’s president announcing the news on Friday:

Members of OSU community,

I am writing to share that Oregon State University and the University of Oregon have agreed that effective immediately the term “Civil War” will no longer be used to promote any athletic competition between the universities.

As you likely know, “Civil War” has been used for football and basketball games — and other sports competition — between OSU and UO since the phrase was first referenced in the 1930’s.

Changing this name is overdue as it represents a connection to a war fought to perpetuate slavery. While not intended as reference to the actual Civil War, OSU sports competition should not provide any misconstrued reference to this divisive episode in American history.

In recent years, some students, faculty, alumni, student-athletes, OSU stakeholders and community members have questioned the appropriateness of this term. That we did not act before to change the name was a mistake. We do so now, along with other important actions to advance equal opportunity and justice for all and in recognition that Black Lives Matter.

President-elect King Alexander and I are in full agreement with this decision. So is UO President Mike Schill, OSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes, and UO Athletics Director Rob Mullens, as well as numerous current and past student-athletes from both universities.

In the months ahead, OSU and the University of Oregon will engage collaboratively to involve their respective students, faculty, staff, student-athletes, alumni, donors, community partners and athletics sponsors to consider other, more appropriate names, if any, to call the athletics rivalry between our two great universities.

I encourage your support and engagement in this naming transition, as we work to identify other areas where our references, practices and norms do not represent our values of diversity and inclusivity.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ray

President