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Spring 2024

Sports

Spring 2022

The turning point

When asked what the turning point was during the 2006-07 season coach Tony Bennett said:

“That game against Gonzaga.”

Bennett began his first season as the Cougar head coach with seven straight wins, marking the best start by a Pac-10 head coach in his inaugural season since 1951-52.

The winning streak was snapped by a loss at Utah, Dec. 2. Next up was a pivotal match-up against Gonzaga in Pullman three days later.

“That game was a big game for us,” remembers Kyle Weaver, a junior guard on the team. “Gonzaga was a solid team.”

Gonzaga established itself a perennial national power with a … » More …

WSU student holds a t-shirt that reads Believe
Spring 2022

Finding out the meaning of T.A.Y. the hard way

T.A.Y. (Turnaround Year) was more than an acronym for the 2006-07 Cougar basketball team.

“That was not just a slogan for us,” remembers Kyle Weaver, a junior guard on the team. “We really took it to heart. It goes to the things we did to prepare for it to be a turnaround year.”

“We had a lot of tough, grueling workouts,” adds Weaver.

Weaver remembers seeing the director of strength and conditioning, David Lang, when arriving for the day’s workout session; in particular, the runs up the hills of Sunnyside Park in the summer heat.

“We came to the hill and said, ‘What’s about to … » More …

Washington State University cheer squad in the late 1970s
Fall 2021

Cheers for WSU

Stories of Washington State University cheerleading and spirit squads

If you have your own cheer stories, send them to Washington State Magazine.

 

1972 Rally Squad

As a senior I was happy to be a part of Rally Squad my final semester at WSU in the fall of 1972. A highlight was picking up then Governor Dan Evans at the airport in my 1948 International mail van with Rally Squad members crowding the inside. We drove right to the front of the CUB and dropped him off with the Evergreen reporters, cheering fans, and bigwigs welcoming him to our incredible university. In addition, that … » More …

WSU students at Zion National park for Outdoor Recreation Center trip
Fall 2021

Memories of the ORC

They trekked and climbed, skied and snowshoed, camped and hiked, biked and paddled—and learned some things about themselves along the way.

The experiences they shared and skills they gained as participants or employees at Washington State University’s Outdoor Recreation Center shaped their careers, grew into lifelong passions, and became treasured memories.

Here, in celebration of the ORC’s fiftieth anniversary this year, they share some of the moments and history that helped define them and the long-running program.

 

The beginning

He didn’t start it, and it wasn’t his idea. But Chris Tapfer is often credited with both. That’s because he got involved with … » More …