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Summer 2026

Athletes

Action photograph of a quarterback in a dark uniform and helmet throwing a football during a game, with opposing players and teammates nearby in rainy conditions.
Summer 2026

Finding His Mind Strength

He was a fifth-string walk-on with a big dream.

The Washington State University freshman wanted someday to be the starting quarterback for the Cougs. But during the 2013 season on the football team—his first—he was redshirted. He was, he says, “invisible.”

A year later, Luke Falk (’17 Soc. Sci.) was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for the first of six times. He went on to start in 40 games, setting a WSU record with 27 wins. In 2017, his final season with Coug football, Falk won the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top former walk-on.

These achievements were possible, he says, because … » More …

Summer 2026

Mind Strength: A Conversation with Luke Falk

Former Washington State University quarterback Luke Falk (’17 Soc. Sci.) was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week six times, started in 40 games, and set a WSU record with 27 wins. In 2017, his final season with Coug football, Falk won the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top former walk-on.

Falk shares the secrets to his college-ball success in his new book, The Mind Strength Playbook: Master Your Mind. Elevate Your Game. (2025, Maison Vero). It’s a self-development guide that underscores the need for athletes to train not only their bodies but their minds.  But the lessons from Falk translate to anyone.

» More …

Spring 2025

A brief history of wrestling at Washington State

The return of wrestling at Washington State University since 2012 has led to national championships and other successes on the mat, as a team and for individual athletes.

A university club sport, the team won the men’s Division II National Championship, Collegiate Cup, and other achievements. Beyond the club’s recent wins, wrestling has a long and storied history at Washington State.

According to Dick Fry’s history of Washington State sports to 1989, The Crimson and the Gray, Frank Jenne (1912 Ag.) of Coupeville was captain of the first Washington State College wrestling team in 1909. WSC met Spokane Athletic Club, Multnomah AC, … » More …

Cover of A Life Impossible book with page underneath
Fall 2024

Resolve: An excerpt from A Life Impossible

 

Michel and I went swimming in the shallow water of the Gulf of Mexico to get in some light exercise without putting too much strain on my body. I waded along the shoreline in chest-high water so I could still touch the sand with my feet. Then, very gradually, a subtle undertow pulled me into deeper water. In astonishment and with raw, primal fear, all I could do was look at Michel, and do my best to cry “Help.”

I had always been a strong swimmer, but now I was seeing and comprehending in stark detail just how much my body had withered. My … » More …

Henry Rono running for Washington State University
Summer 2024

Video: Henry Rono on the move

Henry Rono was one of the greatest athletes to run at Washington State University.

A record-breaking runner in multiple distances and events, Rono (’81 Gen. Stu., ’83 Psych.) died February 15, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 72.

Watch some of his amazing runs below and read more about the Kenyan star.

 

Henry Rono’s Greatest Year In Athletics

Video Running BroScientist

 

Henry Rono 3000 m Steeplechase, 1978 Commonwealth Games

Video AthletixStuffChannel

 

Henry Rono 3000 Metres World Record 27th June 1978

Video Prentis Hancock

 

Henry Rono 10000m 1981,Brussels

Video AthletixStuffChannel

 

Kenya Mourns the Passing of World Champion Henry Rono

… » More …