Oregon honors Herman Ho-Ching after drowning death
Oregon football remembered the life of former running back Herman Ho-Ching on Wednesday. The Oregonian reported Monday that Ho-Ching died at the age of 44 as he drowned in the Clackamas River at Riverside Park on Sunday.
The police report revealed that Ho-Ching jumped from a cement water intake structure in the middle of the river and did not resurface. His family members called 911 and emergency responders later discovered his body unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene after efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Ho-Ching was a standout running back out of Long Beach Poly High School in California, leading the school to a CIF Southern State championship over Mater Dei as a senior in 1997. He later committed to play for the Ducks and coach Mike Bellotii. He was a member of the team for the 1998 and 1999 seasons, finishing his career in Eugene with 494 yards rushing and five touchdowns in addition to 10 catches for 140 yards and two scores.
Playing in a backfield that also featured Reuben Droughns and Derien Latimer, Ho-Ching got off to a good start in his true freshman season. In a game against UTEP on Sept. 12, 1998, he reeled off a 50-yard touchdown catch as well as a 32-yard TD run. He finished the year with 373 yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns as Oregon went 8-4 and lost in the Aloha Classic to Colorado.
In his final season with the team, Ho-Ching record 261 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. The Ducks finished the year with a 9-3 record and earned a win in the Sun Bowl against Minnesota.
Oregon dismissed Ho-Ching from the team following the 1999 season for academic reasons. He initially announced a transfer to Nevada but never ended up playing a game for the Wolf Pack.
In announcing Ho-Ching’s death, the sheriff’s office identified Portland as his city of residence. He has two nieces, Tiare and Ki’ele, who are softball players at Long Beach Poly. Tiare is set to enter her senior season and has committed to play for Arizona State in 2024.
No information about a funeral service for Ho-Ching has been made available to the public at this time. Certainly thoughts are with his family with the news of his tragic passing. Although his time at Oregon was short, he’ll always be a member of the Ducks family.