TALLIL, Iraq -- While college football fans fill stadium seats, local bars and comfy couches, Oregon soldiers spend the season deprived of live games, cold beer and television. In Iraq, the season will go by very slowly.

We decided to find Ducks and Beavers serving in Iraq and bring their stories back home -- even if the games don't always make it overseas.

Executive officer 2nd Lt. Libby Smith, 24, of Spokane, Wash., attended the University of Oregon and was a cheerleader from 2003-2007. She is overseas with the HHC (Headquarters, Headquarters Company) 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team stationed in Tallil, Iraq

When and why did you join the National Guard?

Smith: I joined the National Guard my sophomore year. I decided to join ROTC and the Guard so I could get the benefits of tuition assistance and actually some real world experience before I commissioned as an officer.

How did you juggle cheerleading and the Army?

Smith: There is a big difference between the two uniforms. Most people when they met me asked what do you? I would answer, well I’m in the National Guard and they’d look at you funny because they’d say, didn’t I see you last weekend at the game? Yeah, I’m also a cheerleader at UO. It’s funny because you don’t get that [combination] much.

I actually didn’t go to drill some weekends because of the football games. I’d run over to the armory and say hi and run back across the street to go to the game

How do you watch the games in Iraq?

Smith: We have a lot of Oregon duck fans here; there is a mixture of Oregon and Beaver fans, whenever the game on there’s kind of a big rivalry. We watch the games in the TOC (Tactical Operating Center). If it’s not playing on AFN we defiantly have it on the Internet keeping up on the scores.

I was on shift for the first game, so we watched and it was a very exciting game, especially at the end. Quite a few people got up early in the morning went to the TOC to watch the game. People would stop in and out and check the score. It was almost like Autzen, but not really.

What is your response to the first game of the season?

Smith: It was a little rough; it was hard to live down. I was sung the Boise State fight song a few times. Hey don’t punch me, was called out as I m walking down the street. It’s all in good fun, a good rivalry.

What lies in the future for the Ducks?

Smith: I’m excited. They definitely have new players, some names I don’t recognize, but you know they always kick off with a good season. Being a Duck fan is worth something here.

How do you like working and living with Beaver fans?

Smith: It sucks. They threaten me everyday. It’s hard to get anything done. (Laughing) No it’s a very good, healthy competition and you find out more and more people who went to Oregon or Oregon State. It really is a small world.

Any big plans for the Civil War game?

Smith: I hope to go up to Baghdad, visit my fellow duck fans. [A large party will be held in Baghdad for the Civil War game]. If not we’ll throw a party down here try to recreate the Civil War magic that happens. In the spirit of it I will wear my cheerleading uniform

Are you planning on performing any cheers?

Smith: Maybe if the spirit moved me, mostly I just sit back and watch the games. It’s different watching on the other side now, as a fan instead of right there in the action. Sometimes it’s hard to watch because it brings back all those memories, when they pan around the field, but it brings back good memories too.

What would you be doing at home during football season?

As a cheerleader: Go to bed early get up early, warm up at the stadium, have a lot of fun and tailgate.

As a fan:  Have a party, get tickets, stand in line and tailgate as a regular fan.

A former Duck mascot and cheerleader, Lt. Cotton, is also serving with the 41st, will you have a reunion in Iraq?

Smith: I hope so I call him every so often and say hi. Lt. Cotton was my very first cheerleading partner. I haven't seen him here yet.

Coming next: KVAL.com catches up with Lt. Cotton.

Cali Bagby embedded with the Oregon Army National Guard from the 41st Infantry for KVAL.com. Her work has been published in the Washington Post and the Eugene Weekly.
More stories | Visit her Web site