Western’s Day opts for Oregon State

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001 | 10:29 a.m.

At this rate, maybe Oregon State should consider changing its name from Beavers to Las Vegans.

Western High defensive end Tim Day became the third area football player this year, and the fifth in three seasons, to verbally commit to Oregon State.

The 6-5, 250-pound Day called the Beavers coaching staff Tuesday night to inform it of his decision. He will join Eldorado's Steven Jackson and Bishop Gorman's Dyante Perkins in next year's OSU freshman class. Chaparral graduate Richard Seigler started at linebacker for the Beavers this season, and Las Vegas High product Jon Pollard redshirted his freshman season there.

"That was a factor -- having some people there I'll know," said Day, who took his trip to Corvallis with Jackson and Perkins last November. "The campus impressed me a lot, and I think I'll fit in academically, probably studying business management."

Day, a two-year varsity starter for the Warriors, was the only area player to earn first team all-conference honors on both sides of the ball, making the coaches' team at defensive end and tight end. He was also an honorable mention Sun all-state selection.

"He's a tremendous athlete, and I think he can play anywhere," Western coach Rich Stevens said. "He played offensive guard for us, then we moved him to tight end and defensive end, and he played some linebacker. He could probably play quarterback somewhere -- he can throw a football 60 yards."

Day said seeing the annual Oregon State-Oregon football game during his visit helped convince him of his decision, as did the Beavers' impressive 2000 season under second-year coach Dennis Erickson, culminating with a No. 4 AP ranking, an 11-1 record and a Fiesta Bowl blowout victory over Notre Dame.

"There were so many people at that (Oregon) game, I'd never seen that many people at a football game in person," Day said. "I think they'll be good next year, and for the years I'll be there."

Day, who also took trips to Oregon and Nevada-Reno, cancelled a scheduled official visit to UNLV.