Ad Disclosure
LOOK: Boosters behind Washington State ‘GameDay’ tradition take out full-page ad in student paper
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
College football is full of fantastic traditions. One that probably isn’t very well known in SEC country will be on full display Saturday at College GameDay.
For 216 consecutive episodes of ESPN’s college football pregame show, the Washington State flag, which is known as Ol’ Crimson, has been waved in the crowd. For the first time on Saturday, it will fly at College GameDay in Pullman, WA.
To commemorate the event, the Washington State boosters took out a full-page ad in the student newspaper.
72 cities. 62 host schools. 34 states. 216 consecutive shows. Countless wavers. 15 years. Almost to the day… We finally did it! ESPN College Gameday is finally coming to Pullman and I get to come home. What started as an effort to bring the show to the Palouse has grown to reflect something so much greater, thanks to each and everyone of you. I fly every weekend in representation of our collective Cougar pride. I fly to represent the greatness of Cougs everywhere, whether you are students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, athletes, or fans. It is our tradition – a tradition that will surely endure four Cougs past, present, and future.
There should be no doubt, then, that this has always been a collective effort. To our friends at UPS, the ESPN College Gameday team, WSU Athletics, and the many Cougs who volunteer their time on a Saturday (some many times over), I owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Saturday morning is, without question, a celebration and I #Wave for you.
It is no surprise that many of you have already reached out ot volunteer to #WaveTheFlag this weekend in Pullman. I intend to honor those requests and hope to afford as many of you this experience as possible. There may be times during the show where I rise in the hands of some of our legendary Cougs and I ask that you help me recognize each of them for their impact on WSU and the world. If we don’t get the chance to #Fly together during the show, I would love to snap a selfie with you in Cougville. I ask that if you get an opportunity to give me a wave, please be mindful of the others who wish to do the same. Let’s allow as many Cougs this experience as possible!
I also ask that you demonstrate the grace and respect for which we are known. There will be fans and flags from other schools that will fly during the show. Welcome them to our town, to our campus, to our family. Give them the opportunity to understand what it truly means to be a Coug. Perpetuate the immortal words of Hall of Famer Bob Robertson and “Always be a good sport, be a good sport all ways.” Most of all, let’s #WinTheDay for Crimson and Gray because this weekend, I fly for all those #Cougs who will battle to victory in Martin Stadium. Go Cougs!
The tradition Continues…
– Ol’ Crimson
What a terrific tradition. Even for the fans who don’t usually tune in to College GameDay, it’s practically a must this week with the show debuting at Washington State.
[H/T /r/CFB]
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
