Originally published Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Vasectomy clinic gets in on bracket racket
The Oregon Urology Institute is running a college-basketball-themed vasectomy promotion, urging men to "lower your seed for the tournament...
Newhouse News Service
The Oregon Urology Institute is running a college-basketball-themed vasectomy promotion, urging men to "lower your seed for the tournament."
"When March Madness approaches you need an excuse ... to stay at home in front of the big screen," says the radio ad. "Get your vasectomy at Oregon Urology Institute the day before the tournament starts.
"It's snip city."
The idea came from institute administrator and self-proclaimed "sports guy" Terry FitzPatrick. He knows men should spend two to four days relaxing and recovering after a vasectomy — though some don't, he notes, including a man who hopped on his motorcycle with painful results.
"Wouldn't it be ideal," FitzPatrick thought, "just to be able to have your vasectomy so you could watch March Madness?"
The clinic has no special offers for women who want to watch the tournament in peace.
The Springfield, Ore., practice held in reserve a dozen "premium vasectomy appointments" for March 19, the day before the men's NCAA basketball tournament starts, and another dozen for March 26, before the tournament's second week. It advertised only on a sports-talk station in Eugene.
FitzPatrick said he had hoped to book one or two of the outpatient surgeries, enough to cover costs, though he wouldn't reveal the price, citing competitors.
Fifteen men have signed up. FitzPatrick expects to fill all 24 slots and to make the promotion annual.
"It was just kind of a trial balloon," he said. "It just blew up."
To help sell the idea, the radio station promised to send each fixed fan a "recovery kit" that includes sports magazines, free pizza delivery and a bag of frozen peas to help reduce swelling.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
Trying last-ditch lung bypass for worst swine flu
UPDATE - 06:31 PM
Comatose for 23 years, Belgian feels reborn
Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm
Cutting through breast-cancer confusion

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
6.5 kw Kohler gas generator - $599
Alto Saxophone - $400
ATV POLARIS TRAILBLAZER - $1800
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
events for Tuesday, Nov. 24
- November happy hours and Thanksgiving weekend...
- Seattle Premium Outlets Midnight Madness Sale...
- Two-week opening at Midori Inc.
- Fall/Winter Sale at Clover
editors' picks
- Independent bookstores
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- Local jewelry designers
- Neighborhood shopping
- Two men in Everett shoot each other early today
- Steve Kelley | Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
- Mariners Blog | Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
- As glam as he wants to be: Adam Lambert's real debut
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Bellevue Blog | Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Husky Men's Basketball Blog | An interview with Enes Kanter's coach
- Illegal workers quietly let go
441 - Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
248 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
230 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
198 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
148 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
137 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
84 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
81 - Man shoots self at Westlake Center
68 - Teen pimp found guilty of human trafficking
55
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'

