You have not met a hardcore Cougar until you’ve met my dad, James Linker. When my sister and I were babies, he would gently rock us to sleep while singing the WSU fight song. As we grew older, he made sure to take us to as many Cougar football games as possible. My dad, decked from head to toe in crimson and gray, is always the loudest fan screaming in the stadium. Even when a win seems unlikely, he stays until the clock runs down and the game is officially over.

Living in Scottsdale, Ariz., my dad is constantly surrounded by a plethora of Sun Devil fans. However, this doesn’t stop him from wearing his Cougar gear and proudly hanging the WSU flag outside our house. Once my sister and I began driving, he also hung a small, styrofoam WSU football helmet from our garage ceiling with a piece of fish wire. Every time we managed to successfully park our cars correctly, he would always exclaim “TOUCHDOWN!” as the ball tapped the windshields. My senior year of high school, my dad and I embarked on a journey to visit WSU. Driving here from Spokane, he told me about his favorite college memories and gave me the lowdown on the history of the Palouse. During this entire trip, he was extremely supportive, scheduling a tour of the campus and an appointment with an adviser into the trip. When it was time for me to leave for school, my dad helped me pack up all my suitcases and boxes to move into my new home in Streit-Perham. I’ll never forget when I said my last goodbye to him when he dropped me off. It was probably one of the hardest farewells I’ve ever had to say, even though I knew I’d see him a few months later. Throughout my life, my dad has taught me the value of hard work, honesty and the importance of having a positive attitude. He’s also taught me the significance of making well-rounded decisions and using negative situations as opportunities to grow. My dad is more than just a dedicated Coug and a supportive father – he’s my hero.