Winter 2023
It’s in the crimson blood
Mike McQuaid will represent Team USA at the 2024 World Triathlon Championships, showing his drive to excel. » More ...
Rowing
Winter 2023
A legacy of collegiate rowing
Robert “Bob” Appleyard (’75 Zool., ’79 MS Environ. Sci., ’86 PhD Vet. Sci.) rowed with Cougar Crew all four years of college, coached Washington State University’s women’s crew team for a year during graduate school, and went on to become a longtime race official with the United State Rowing Association (USRowing) and International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA).
In 2023, he gave the keynote address during Cougar Crew Days. Find his speech below.
Read about Appleyard’s career in “Different strokes.”
We’ve been celebrating the first 50 years of Cougar Crew, and my task this evening is to reflect back over those … » More …
Winter 2023
Different strokes
Bob Appleyard, a former Washington State University rower and distinguished race official in the world of rowing, shares his journey from a novice to an accomplished figure in the sport, officiating races at various levels, including the Olympics, and receiving multiple awards for his contributions to rowing. » More ...
Summer 2023
Cougar Crew shell
A wooden relic hangs in the training room » More ...
Summer 2023
Resurrecting the remnants
It might sound odd but the Winlock W. Miller and the 101 were sisters. They died together, on the same day, at Almota.
In early 1971, University of Washington head rowing coach Dick Erickson provided the newly formed Cougar Crew with two used Husky shells on a long-term loan. The Miller and the 101 didn’t row on the Snake River until December 4 that year. Just 37 days later, they were gone.
The second week of January 1972, winds on campus reached 75 mph. Gusts of 150 mph were recorded at Pasco. The recently built Almota shellhouse was designed to sustain winds … » More …
Spring 2022
Pull Hard!
Finding Grit and Purpose on Cougar Crew, 1970–2020 » More ...
Winter 2019
Cougar Crew profiles
Out here, among the rolling hills of the Palouse, generations of rowers have pulled hard.
They’ve learned life lessons on the Snake River, where conditions can change instantaneously and team work is essential. They’ve forged lifelong friendships. They’ve made memories.
Here, a few former WSU oarsmen share theirs.
The Idea Man
Rich Stager (‘74, Civ. Eng.) started his freshman year at WSU Pullman in fall 1970. His parents had recently moved to Pullman; his father had taken a job as a project manager for the construction of Lower Granite Dam.
Winter 2019
Good as gold
They came from behind—counting their strokes, catching the Belgian boat, and gliding to gold on California’s Lake Casitas.
Theirs was the first Olympic gold medal in men’s double sculls for the U.S. since 1932. To date, it remains the last medal of any kind for America in that event.
While they took first place, neither had been selected by U.S. Olympic coaches.
Rowing partners Paul Enquist (’77 Mech. Eng.) and Brad Lewis earned their spot at the 1984 Summer Olympics by challenging—and besting—the national team.
“We didn’t take no for an answer,” says Enquist, who—along with Lewis—was cut from the Olympic selection camp.
About three … » More …
Winter 2019
Quite a crew
Different strokes for half a century of Washington State University crew, a scrappy bunch of rowers in WSU's club. » More ...
Fall 2013
Cougar Crew Days
In March, alumni and team members of men’s crew, the oldest sport club at WSU, gathered for Cougar Crew Days, as they do each year. But this year’s celebration had special significance: 40 years of rowing competitions.
Rich Stager ’74 and Ken Abbey, vice president of business affairs, formed the crew team in 1969, built the Cougar Shell House on the Snake River, and appointed landscape architecture professor Ken Struckmeyer as the first coach. The team entered competition in 1973.
The Cougar Crew Days included a banquet, auction, and the annual race between team members and alumni. According to Doug Engle ’80, they raised … » More …