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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University is hitting the road this spring as administrators and athletic coaches travel to nine different Oregon cities in a whirlwind 22-day tour that will take them from Medford to Pendleton and various points in between.

Orange and Black Caravan 2000 will feature OSU President Paul Risser, athletic director Mitch Barnhart, and a number of coaches, including football coach Dennis Erickson and basketball coach Ritchie McKay. The caravan will make its first stop in Portland on May 18 and will end June 7 in Pendleton.

"We look forward to visiting with OSU's alumni and friends and giving folks across the state a chance to meet the president, the coaches and other Oregon Staters," said Orcilia Zuniga Forbes, vice president for university advancement. "It's a great opportunity to celebrate OSU."

The athletic department personnel will visit local grade schools and middle schools (NCAA rules prohibit high school visits) in several locations, while Risser and other university administrators will meet with community leaders and visit high schools, OSU Extension offices and partner institutions in the OSU Statewide distance learning program.

The OSU Alumni Association will host a dinner or reception at most locations and the OSU athletic department will host golf tournaments at local courses.

This will be the first opportunity for people in many of the communities to meet Ritchie McKay, the Beavers' new men's basketball coach who was hired in March. Other coaches participating in the tour include Erickson and women's basketball coach Judy Spoelstra.

For more information on the caravans, call 541-737-7904.

The following is a list of cities and dates for the Orange and Black Caravans:

• PORTLAND, May 18

  Participants include OSU President Paul Risser, athletic director Mitch Barnhart, football coach Dennis Erickson, men's basketball coach Ritchie McKay, women's basketball coach Judy Spoelstra, and alumni director Dwayne Foley. A golf tournament and dinner will be held at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

   

• ASTORIA, May 19

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, McKay, and Spoelstra. A breakfast will be held at the Red Lion.

   

• TILLAMOOK, May 19

  Participants include Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, and Spoelstra. A dinner will be held at the Tillamook Elks Lodge.

   

• BANDON, May 22

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, Spoelstra and Foley. A golf tournament will be held at Bandon Dunes Golf Club and a dinner will be held at the Heritage Place banquet room.

   

• MEDFORD, May 23

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, Spoelstra and Foley. A golf tournament and dinner will be held at Eagle Point Golf Course.

   

• EUGENE, May 24

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, Spoelstra and Foley. A golf tournament will be held at Riverside Golf Course and a dinner will be held at Valley River Inn.

   

• SALEM, June 5

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, Spoelstra and Foley. A golf tournament and dinner will be held at Creekside Golf Club.

   

• BEND/SUNRIVER, June 6

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, and Spoelstra. A golf tournament will be held at Crosswater and a dinner will be in Great Hall at Sunriver Resort.

   

• PENDLETON, June 7

  Participants include Risser, Barnhart, Erickson, McKay, and Spoelstra. A golf tournament will be held at Wildhorse Resort Golf Course and a dinner will be held at the Doubletree Inn.