City of Oregon in Ohio to Change Its Name on Day of National Championship

The Ohio State Buckeyes are thrilled to be playing the Oregon Ducks on January 12 for this year's national championship, and one city in Ohio has decided to change its name to show its loyalty.

Update from Monday, Jan. 5

The city of Oregon, Ohio, isn't ditching its name, but it is tweaking it a bit.

On Monday, Oregon mayor Mike Seferian amended the city's name. According to The Toledo Blade, the city will be known as "Oregon, Ohio Buckeyes on the Bay, City of Duck Hunters" for the next week. Mayor Seferian also declared this week to be "The Ohio State Buckeye Week."

The new name is a play on the city's "Oregon on the Bay, City of Opportunity" slogan.

--End of Update--

Matt Squibb and Mark Rabbitt, two natives of Oregon, Ohio, created a petition to change the name of the city for the day of the national championship. The petition also calls for the high school to change its colors on game day, as its athletic teams wear green and gold, just like the Ducks. 

Here is the official statement from the petition, posted by Squibb, via Sarah Ottney from the Toledo Free Press:

"

I grew up in Oregon, Ohio and love the city, but for the day of the "Big Game" I am asking the city council to make a proclamation to change the name of the city for one day. Call it Buckeye Town, Ohio City, Brutusville, whatever, you get the point. Let's not leave anything to chance here! Change the name and support the Buckeyes!

"

The town of Oregon took notice of the petition and will apparently announce the name of the city for the big game on January 5.

[Toledo Free Press, h/t College Football Talk]