Jun. 30—PULLMAN — A day before Washington State University enters a new era in the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference, the Cougars introduced a new partnership.
WSU and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation announced Tuesday a new five-year deal worth $8.43 million, including a $250,000 donation to the Cougar Athletic Excellence Fund in the first year. It’s the largest annual sponsorship in WSU athletics history.
The Cougars will wear a new patch on their jerseys for football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and soccer.
“As we enter a new era of the Pac-12 — which begins tomorrow, by the way — we do so with a new look,” WSU athletic director Jon Haarlow said during a news conference. “A look that represents far more than just branding. It represents a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, commitment to developing future generations across Eastern Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. We’ve said it internally, we’ve said it publicly, that our intention is to be the leaders in the new Pac-12. Leadership requires innovation. It requires thinking differently. It requires building strategic partnerships that align with who we are as an institution.”
“At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief in investing in young people, helping them become exceptional students, future leaders, and ultimately bringing them back home to strengthen the communities they love,” WSU President Betsy Cantwell is quoted as saying in a press release. “That alignment of values is what made the Colville Tribes the right partner for this historic opportunity.”
The deal comes at a crucial time for WSU, which is jockeying for position atop the new Pac-12 rostering Oregon State and newcomers Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Texas State and Gonzaga. A figure for annual conference payouts has yet to become official, but it will be less than the roughly $25 million WSU was receiving as a member of the traditional Pac-12 in previous years, making an influx of roughly $8M vastly important for WSU.
In an interview Tuesday, Haarlow said WSU will distribute the funds from this partnership in several ways, including academics, mental health resources, sports performance, nutrition, “those types of things,” Haarlow said. “Make sure that our operation is solidified, and sponsorships like this allow us to do that.”
Haarlow said WSU could put some of the money toward NIL contracts with student athletes.
“There’s still some opportunities with that,” he said, “but we want to make sure that our student athletes are getting the best experience holistically when they’re here.”
WSU and the Colville Tribes’ partnership also will include youth clinics in tribal communities, regional basketball development opportunities and an AAU tribal tournament.
The Confederate Tribes of the Colville Reservation consist of 9,000 members of 12 individual tribes. Those tribes are: Arrow Lakes (Lakes, Sinixt), Chelan, Colville, Entiat, Nespelem, Okanagan, Methow, Sinkiuse-Columbia, Nez Perce, Palus, San Poil and Wenatchi.
Jarred-Michael Erickson, chairman of the Colville Business Council, said the partnership shows “our kids that, yeah, you can come here.”
Erickson said partnership with WSU gives tribal youth added opportunities for education and athletics.
“A lot of our kids get overlooked when it comes to athletics, and I hope this can help change that narrative a little bit, and just kind of get them some of the exposure they need,” he said.
About the Author
