Cougar Classic on the rise

The Ol' Crimson flag comes to the Columbia Basin

ESPN's "GameDay" is feeling the pressure.

For the last year, a creation by Tom Pounds - a.k.a. AlbuCougQue - resident of New Mexico and a 1981 graduate of Washington State University, sent a flag across the country following the ESPN college football program for college fans to see.

Fitting for WSU Cougar fans who feel spurned by the ESPN show that highlights college football from campuses across the nation. A right, Sandmann and his college alum feel WSU deserves after three straight 10 win seasons, a 2003 Rose Bowl appearance and a 2-1 record in bowl games during that three-year span.

"This flag was shipped across the country with instructions on how to set up the pole and position the flag perfectly on the show and behind the set," said Cougar Classic chairman Mike Sandmann.

From Michigan to Pittsburgh, Oklahoma to Bowling Green, the Ol' Crimson flag reminded "GameDay" of the Palouse's rise in college football.

The flag even made a friendly visit to Pullman during "GameDay's" trip to Ohio State. A trip most Cougar fans didn't want to make.

Now, the flag will rest in the Lewis Alumni Center at WSU and Pound is already working on two new flags to travel across the country in pursuit of "GameDay".

"They have established an Ol' Crimson fund to pay for next years shipping," Sandmann added.

On Monday, June 14 at the Cougar Classic Golf Tournament at the Moses Lake Golf and Country Club, the flag will make another appearance before it is retired.

"In true Cougar fashion, we are going to fly the flag behind the booze cart," Sandmann said. "Everyone will be able to have their photo taken with it."

The Cougar Classic, last year's top fundraiser increase for the WSU Athletic Fund and one of the top 12 fundraising events in the state will feature the coaching staff of all sports programs.

Featuring Bill Doba and his football coaching staff, the mens basketball coach Dick Bennett, the new baseball and volleyball coaches and the womens basketball coach Sherri Murrell.

With the turnaround in the mens basketball program, Doba's continued success of the football team and the changes made to other programs, according to Sandmann, have had a direct impact on the number of signees for the golf tournament.

"We have never had so many players sign up so quickly," Sandmann said. "People are more willing to donate to the Coug's because they are winning."