In May 1996, the University of Oregon Department of Intercollegiate Athletics reinstituted the long dormant letter-winners club, the Order of the O. In its first incarnation the order was a club for, and run by, current varsity athletes. This time around, the club is for alumni whose only requirement for membership is to have been a varsity letter-winning athlete at Oregon.

The purpose of the Order is to serve past Oregon letter winners, keeping them connected with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Activities of this organization are designed to make every past student-athlete once again experience the pride of being a part of the University of Oregon.

Order of the O functions are social in nature, and while many functions are set in Eugene, the Order also stresses the importance of out-of-area members. The Executive Board is mindful of the interest of the extended membership, and attempts to keep all members abreast of upcoming activities.