Contemplations – they most typically take place at the beginning of a journey as well as at the end. When I wrote the first edition of this column I had no experience as a sports writer and admittedly did not see myself gaining anything professionally from writing a weekly sports column as I am a biology major…

At the conclusion of each football season, a major schism takes places across the state of Washington. The state divides, families splinter and close friendships turn into bitter rivalries. When the smoke clears from this annual fracturing of our state, only two kinds of individuals are left – Cougars and Huskies…

It seems our nation’s current economic issues have become the paramount focus of nearly every major media outlet in our country in the past few months. It dictates the topics of our political forums, dominates the lead stories of our nightly news programs and puts pressure on us to be more conscious stewards of our finances…

The Pac-10 Tournament may not be over, but the ballots are in, and the conference awards have been handed out. The Cougars were dealt a pretty solid hand with senior Taylor Rochestie being named to the All Pac-10 First Team, and freshmen DeAngelo Casto and Klay Thompson were named to the conference All-Freshman Team…

In the wake of what was unarguably the most exciting victory of the season, the Cougar men’s basketball team is heading into the final three games of the season. In all likelihood, it will not be an easy road down the stretch as two of the three final opponents for the Cougars – No…

As we pass the halfway point in the men’s basketball season, the Cougars find themselves halfway up the Pac-10 rankings. In comparison to their most recent seasons, this year’s run statistically appears to be somewhat of a let down. In retrospect, considering the freshman-heavy roster and number of ranked opponents on the schedule…

Excuses, excuses. In the wake of a close upset, like the one suffered at the hands of USC on Saturday, they pour in from all venues. Media, fans and bloggers throw blame in a desperate attempt to make sense of a defeat that, in all likelihood, never should have taken place…

Needless to say, it has been a rough year for Northwest sports fans. We have seen the Seahawks miss the playoffs for the first time in recent memory, the Mariners finish at the bottom of baseball with one of the largest payrolls in the game, and the Sonics relocate to Oklahoma City…

The Cougar men’s basketball team will make its first exodus from Pullman this week for Pac-10 play. The Cougars are headed to Oregon, where they will take on the Oregon State Beavers at 6 p.m. Thursday, followed by a Saturday game at the University of Oregon…

As we all run the academic gauntlet that is finals week, we cling to memories of home and the promise of the home-cooked meals that are soon to come. If it were not for this light at the end of the tunnel and the knowledge that the semester has finally come to an end…

Expectations. Every preseason they are defined for each and every team across the nation by analysts, coaches and fans. In the college basketball preseason, a team’s expectations are determined by strength of schedule, number of experienced players on the team and…

Reflections. The 2008 Cougar football season has come to an end and the time has come to look back and take stock of all the memories we will have to carry with us until next year. For many Cougar fans, the initial reaction to this prospect may be one of extreme melancholy…

The concept of the ideal human physique varies from culture to culture. In Western society, especially within our own country, the ideal body type is generally accepted to be lean, muscular and devoid of physical flaws. The lengths some individuals are willing to go to achieve their desired physique can only be equaled by the number of avenues corporations and advertisers offer them as a means to achieve it…

Every year before the NFL season, sports writers, ex-coaches and charismatic retired players don $3,000 Armani suits and tell audiences what the outcome of the season will be before the first snap has even been taken. Skip Bayless drops bombs. Woody Paige provides comic relief…

It requires a significant amount of prowess and fortitude to not only start games as a true freshman at the Division I level, but to survive them as well. It is a feat few are able to accomplish, however when Fevea’i Ahmu was called upon in 2005 to do just that…