[1] The piece is among those created in June 1974, when the city held the Oregon International Sculpture Symposium, which attracted artists from around the country.

[1][3] According to the Smithsonian Institution, the purpose of the event was to provide attendees "an opportunity to observe the creation of a major art work, how it was constructed and what the artist meant to convey with it".

[1] Studio space was provided at the University of Oregon and at Lane Community College; Big Red was created at the latter location and was relocated to its present site by a large truck and crane.

Other funding sources included the City of Eugene, Lane Community College, Lane County, Oregon Arts Commission, the Portland Art Museum, and the University of Oregon.

[1] The work's condition was deemed "treatment needed" by Smithsonian's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!"