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On The Palouse | Episode One: A New Era Begins #GoCougs | #MadeOfCrimson

Hey Cougs, I have been reading many comments on the @cougfan message boards and social media and thought I would share my thoughts on WSU athletic fundraising: 1) First of all, I do not place all the blame on WSU alumni and friends for the shortfall of financial resources for WSU athletics, but rather a lack of solid plans from WSU athletics combined with Cougs stepping up! I will also point out that is changing right now as we have seen $10.4 million raised for stadium improvements, $3 million + for the football locker room upgrades, one thousand new donors to CAF for scholarships early in 2025 and the $2.5 million Rally Your Region campaign currently underway - tax-deductible Rally Your Region campaign link here: cougarathleticfund.com/sports/2026/1/… In regard to the point of not engaging large donors the stadium upgrades and locker room all came from large donors. 2) Please understand that we will not compete on a consistent basis without the necessary financial support from WSU alumni and friends and this was an issue long before NIL and the transfer portal - we simply have not had the necessary resources to compete consistently & it's even more important now. 3) I agree with many of you that we need to cultivate and engage new donors for large gifts, corporate sponsorships & our 250K+ alumni. Keep in mind that out of the 250K+ alumni 4,500 donate to WSU athletics. We have to improve in these areas and it's being addressed, that being said we have to spread the word on supporting WSU athletics. 4) For those that complain about the public campaigns please consider this. Historically we have lacked creative, bold, goal specific public campaigns up until the new donor campaign for CAF scholarships in early 2025 where we added one thousand new donors. Before that campaign I have not witnessed much from WSU athletics in successful public campaigns which in large part is why we have 4,500 donors to athletics. Keep in mind that these campaigns are directed at adding "new donors" as much as they are current donors. 4) The large donor and public campaigns will continue, and I am all for it as long as they are well thought out, creative, goal specific ect. Please note the Rally Your Region campaign underway which is the best in the history of WSU athletics. Regarding the public campaigns in my mind, it is really very simple: I am asked for money from WSU at times and the simple fact is at times I am "maxed out" for a particular year, so I simply relay that I cannot donate at the time as I evaluate each year the priorities for giving, I don't get upset or angry and I encourage them to keep asking as quite frankly I don't think we have asked enough over the years. Donating is a choice and nobody has to do it or are forced to do so. Also, keep in mind with these campaigns there are WSU alumni and friends that are capable of giving more and often a campaign like the one underway brings those donors out, I am seeing it right now. 5) In terms of more institutional support President Cantwell has been clear that there is not a large pot of money for athletics right now. WSU has been making cuts for four years now and with a decline in enrollment, state and federal cuts and slow recovery from the pandemic we simply need more revenue. I am not justifying the decline in enrollment as we have one of the most compelling messages in the country at #1 in the country of student satisfaction and #7 for best alumni networks along with many advantages, Also, please keep in mind that many of the new members of the Pac-12 already had their institutional revenue support streams in place and Oregon State and WSU do not, I have taken a look at more institutional support for WSU athletics and quite frankly I will not be spending any of my time on that issue as I have to spend my time where I believe I can have the best impact for WSU. 6) My last point is simply this! After over two decades of work for WSU, much of which has been spent with the WSU Foundation (the fundraising arm for WSU) we have another $80 to $100 million in annual private support for WSU at large (based on prior research data) and at least $20 million a year in additional private revenue for athletics. As I have pointed out many times, the good news here is that we have the capacity to hit these numbers and it will take a combination of a better effort from WSU and Cougs getting on board and that will happen! We are on the incline my friends and it's time to take leadership in both athletics and academics in the Pac-12! #TheGreatAscensionofWSU

The rebuilt Pac-12 is six months from taking the field. Here's where @wilnerhotline projects new coach Kirby Moore and the Cougars to finish in 2026. st.news/405OS9k

Hey Cougs, it's time for the City of Pullman to get with the program as we need more lodging options & more! I need your help contacting the Mayor and the City Council suggesting the following: For football weekends, graduation, move in ect. we need a central website coordinated with WSU that provides all the overnight accommodation options in the area for hotels, VRBO, RV's and travel trailers ect. The options include on campus, in the City of Pullman and surrounding areas. This site would also include all the activities for the entire weekend both on campus and in the city with links to all. The key emphasis here is more lodging options with an easy place to find them. Embrace bringing back Dad's weekend. As you know last November we had "Dad's Weekend on the Palouse" and it was very well we received. The city needs to embrace this by providing special events including bowling tournaments, indoor golf tournaments, special events, promos and discounts & more. For summer months we need a lot more youth camps and tournaments - all summer long. Stillwater, Oklahoma which is similar to Pullman is full all summer with these camps and tournaments. This is also great exposure for WSU and Pullman as it is a student recruiting opportunity and great exposure to many. Bring out "The Crimson Carpet". The city of Pullman needs to treat all guests like royalty! It's a long trip for many and everyone that attends should feel special. Students waving flags as we enter Pullman, buttons that say, "Welcome to Pullman", special gifts or discount coupons from hotels as you check in and a friendly and welcoming attitude by all. You can literally contact the Mayor and City Council from this link and copy and paste the message above: pullman-wa.gov/government/cit… As we take leadership in the Pac-12, Pullman and WSU need to provide the best football weekend experience in the country and deliver that all year long. Share with us here when you send this message. Let's do this. Go