a Little Light

In the 101^st meeting of the biggest collegiate rivalry in the state of Washington, let’s just forget it all. Let’s forget the fact that the teams involved are 0-19 against Division 1A opponents this year. Or that a conference opponent (USC) outscored the Washington schools by a combined score of 125-0. Let’s forget that neither team is able to start the quarterback who began the season at the top of the depth chart. Let’s ignore the fact that UW ranks 117 out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total offence – and that WSU ranks 118. Let’s overlook the idea that WSU set the record for most points allowed in Pac-10 play (350) in a single season – when there were three Pac-10 games yet to play. Let’s put it all aside because it’s Apple Cup time.

The biggest game of the season is about to take place with many critical outcomes weighing on the final score. Beyond the blatantly obvious year long possession of the trophy and the claim to 9^th place in the Pac-10 is the associated pride which undeniably attaches with the game – despite this miserable season. If the past few Apple Cups are any indication, football fans will be treated to a close and competitive contest – which is all we can ask for as spectators and fans. After all, a must-not-lose game is much more critical than a must-win game – since humiliation is a much greater motivator than pride.

But the significance of this game transcends the scoreboard on the field and seeps into the entire university and communities as a whole.

College football has been society’s indicator on the general success of a typical Division IA university. A successful football team generally correlates to increased attention and interest onto the institution of higher education. In this regard, another victory by WSU – making it four out of the past five games – in this year’s Apple Cup will tangibly demonstrate the progress our university has made in recent years. Stated with a hint of bias, I believe it’s clear that we’re far superior to our western brethren – an Apple Cup win will provide convincing and undisputable evidence.

Looking past the game itself, we see that this friendly rivalry tends to bring out the best in both universities – a perfect opportunity to improve and influence the community surrounding us.

Three years ago, Crimson and Gray blanketed and waved on top the Seattle skyline via the Space Needle when WSU raised more money in the “Tackling Hurricane Relief” fundraiser. In trumping UW by over $30,000, we not only invaded Husky territory for a weekend, but improved and changed the lives of thousands who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Organizations get involved as well. For nearly three decades, WSU and UW chapters of the Kappa Sigma fraternity have competed in a Pass-Run competition to raise money for Northwest Harvest – an organization which provides hot and canned foods to about 300 hunger programs in Washington State.

Examples of unique competitions occurring this year include the “one thing” challenge directed toward residence hall students at both universities. The premise of this challenge in asking students to change one behavior which will build onto future adjustments for the betterment of the environment is significant and primarily motivated by the competitive spirit between the two universities. A WSU sorority – the Sigma Kappa foundation – is currently engaged in a contest with their UW counterpart in raising money for Alzheimer’s research.

While it’s easy for the players to look ahead to a weekend in Hawaii and for Cougar fans to salivate over what is hyped to be the best recruiting class in school history coming next year, we cannot ignore this very critical weekend and what it means to not only to the football programs involved, but the universities and community as well.

So let’s spend one additional day in Pullman to get behind and support our boys as we face-off in one of the biggest Apple Cup’s in the history of the event – just try to forget why it’s so significant this time around.

Go Cougs!