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CORVALLIS - The Beavers and Ducks are calling a truce the morning of the Civil War football game as students from both universities help a Beaverton teenager injured in a high school football game. Members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity chapters at both Oregon State University and the University of Oregon will donate the proceeds of their annual "Civil War Game Ball Run" to help with the medical expenses of Kris Tyacke, 17. Tyacke was paralyzed during a Sept. 22 Beaverton High game when he injured the fourth vertebra in his neck.

The accident hit hard at the Corvallis chapter, said Kyle Voge, an OSU Kappa Sigma member. "Kris is the younger brother of Trevor Tyacke," a Kappa Sigma brother and OSU alumnus who graduated in June.

The Civil War Game Ball Run is an annual charitable event for the OSU and University of Oregon chapters of the fraternity. Held the day of the Civil War football game between the two schools, the event has traditionally benefited the American Cancer Society.

"The Tyacke family will need a lot of financial help, not only for medical expenses, but for rehabilitation, adjusting their home to accommodate Kris, and the time they have missed from work to spend time with their son," said Brett LaFleur, OSU Kappa Sigma game ball run chairman.

"This year we are especially motivated," said Voge, an OSU senior in pre-medicine from Hillsboro. "While we enjoy supporting the American Cancer Society, it is a large organization and a bit removed from our everyday lives."

"But this, this really has hit us this year - it hits so close to home," said fraternity member Ben Youngblood, an OSU senior in biochemistry from Rainier, Ore.

The 50-mile continuous relay starts on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Kappa Sigma house at 1090 Alder St. in Eugene. Handing off the ball every mile, fraternity members will run along Highway 99 to Junction City. In Junction City, members of the OSU chapter will take over and run the ball to OSU's Reser Stadium for the start of the Civil War game. The run takes three to four hours. There are several options for people wishing to contribute to the effort, LaFleur said.

"I set up an e-mail account: [email protected]," LaFleur said. "This would be the main way for people to help out Kris by sending their name and address, and their donation amount to this address. All pledges should include the word 'donation' in the subject line. They will be billed by the Beaverton High School Boosters Club."

"If they want to write any messages to Kris they can do so through this address as well," LaFleur added. "Or people may contact Beaverton Boosters Club through Beaverton High School at 503-259-5000 for more information."

Kappa Sigma members will also staff a courtesy desk for donations outside Reser Stadium for two hours prior to the start of the Civil War game and checks can be sent in Tyacke's name to Beaverton High School, c/o Ross Peterson, 13000 S.W. 2nd St., Beaverton, OR. 97005.

Once the ball reaches the stadium, fraternity members are planning to have Trevor Tyacke pass the ball to the game officials. An announcement will also be made explaining the circumstances of the game ball relay.