WSU quarterback Drew Bledsoe is the first pick in the NFL draft by the New England Patriots
robert.franklinFormer WSU quarterback Mark Rypien is the Super Bowl XXVI MVP
robert.franklinFormer WSU quarterback Mark Rypien is the 1992 Super Bowl XXVI MVP in the Washington Redskins’ 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Jason Hanson, field goal kicker, is first team academic athletic All-American.
robert.franklinJason Hanson, field goal kicker, is the first team academic athletic All-American. He’d go on to play 21 years for the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
The NFL establishes a scholarship at WSU in Michael Utley’s name.
robert.franklinMichael Utley, former student and 1989 All-American offensive guard, injures his spinal cord and is paralyzed during a Detroit Lions football game. Utley establishes the Mike Utley Foundation to help those with spinal cord injuries and Utley became known for the “thumbs up” he flashed fans after being carried off the field when he was injured in 1991. In 2008 the NFL established a scholarship at WSU in Utley’s name for students studying sports medicine.
Peter Koech wins the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea
robert.franklinPeter Koech (’86) wins the silver medal in 3,000-meter steeplechase at Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. In 1989, Peter Koech breaks the world record in steeplechase with a time of 8 minutes, 5.35 seconds.
Hein, Stevenson, and Bigeleisen receive Distinguished Alumnus Awards.
robert.franklinThe Regents 16th, 17th, and 18th Distinguished Alumnus Awards are respectively awarded to Mel Hein, the “greatest all-around player the game of football has seen;” Robert Stevenson, the former head of Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co.; and world-renowned chemist Jacob Bigeleisen.
Gibson, Shroeder, Neill receive the Regents Distinguished Alumnus Awards
robert.franklinWeldon B. “Hoot” Gibson, Charles Schroeder, and Marshall Neill receive the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth Regents Distinguished Alumnus Awards.
Hugh Campbell, WSU record-breaking football pass receiver, is voted MVP of the East-West Shrine game after setting a new catching record
robert.franklinHugh Campbell, WSU record-breaking football pass receiver, is voted MVP of the East-West Shrine game after setting a new record after catching 10 passes. The East-West Shrine game, sponsored by the Shriners, has been played annually since 1925 and teams are drawn from the two geographic regions east and west, including Canada. Campbell played wide receiver from 1958 to 1962 and during that time he appeared in the Hula Bowl, the College All-Star game, the Coaches All-America game and the aforementioned Shrine Bowl, and while at WSU he was awarded the 1961 W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. After playing for WSU, Campbell went on to play for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders and coach several Canadian and US college and professional football teams.
WSC graduate Pete Rademacher wins the Olympic heavyweight boxing title
robert.franklinWSC graduate Pete Rademacher wins the Olympic heavyweight boxing title, knocking out the Russian finalist in the first round in Melbourne, Australia.
