College football is a pretty big deal across the nation, but the small town of Pullman takes it to a whole new level. Students, staff, and alumni look forward to Cougar Football Saturdays all year long, and once fall is finally here and the football schedule is released, the entire community comes together to cheer for its school, filled with 125 years of rich history, memories, and unwavering pride. Here are just a few reasons why Cougar football is the best time of the year.
Our school pride and spirit is unmatched
I think that I can speak for the majority of the WSU student body when I say that I am so proud to call myself a Coug. I couldn’t be more excited about the fact that I am going to walk away from this experience with a diploma from Washington State University. I could talk about what it means to be a Coug for hours, but it's impossible to completely understand why we love it so much unless you are a part of it.
Here at WSU, football season isn’t just a time for the athletes to shine; the fans make the experience what it is. Nothing compares to the roar coming from our student section each game. Students file into the stands, decked out in crimson and gray, and pack in like sardines. The game time rituals and traditions have been passed down over many years, and regardless of who we are playing that day, you can count on an anti-cheer about the Huskies erupting at least once. Cougar football game days are treated much like holidays, and the celebration never stops at the final whistle.
Win or Lose …
You will find that many people will finish that sentence with, “Cougs booze." You may disagree with me, but I see this as a positive statement. It shows that regardless of the outcome, we all come together at the end of the day and celebrate. It doesn’t matter what the final score was, it doesn’t matter if it was a close game or a blowout. Regardless of what happened on the field, Cougs come together with our heads held high and our hearts full of pride. Win or lose, we love our Cougs. We aren’t always going to be the best, but we sure celebrate like we are.
The weather doesn’t stop us
Pullman goes through extreme weather changes about halfway through the football season. At the beginning of the season, everyone is decked out in T-shirt dresses, tanks, shorts, and many of the guys go shirtless, but as soon as that winter weather starts, fans break out their parkas and snow boots. Last year’s Apple Cup, for example, was hosted here in Pullman, but that 6-degree November weather didn’t stop fans from having a great time and cheering their hearts out!
Tailgating is a must, regardless of the game time
The game starts at 5:30? Great, we have all day to hop around from RV to RV, shot-gunning beers and eating hot dogs. The game starts at 11? No problem. We will wake up and start the party at 7 a.m. Coug fans wake up at the crack of dawn to the sound of the Cougar marching band playing through Greek Row. This is a sign that it's time to get up, and time for the festivities to begin! You will see students walking up and down the streets chanting, “Go Cougs," and high-fiving fellow fans. It's impossible not to smile and cheer along. The energy is contagious.
Our alumni are just as passionate as the students
Cougar alumni come far and wide to watch our beloved team play each week. Cars, trucks, and RVs start flowing in on Friday, many of them coming from the west side of Washington, just to stake out their parking spot for the weekend. Our alumni have left their mark here; they have shaped this community and have just as much love for WSU as they did when they were students.
Former WSU Football coach Jim Walden said it best when it comes to WSU's school spirit:
“I can't define it, I can't tell someone who isn't a cougar what it's like. There's something that happens at Washington State; you quietly and subtly become infected. Washington State is a passion. Being a cougar is a passion”
Best of luck to the men who take the field each week. And as always, Go Cougs!
