Washington State University Athletics
Community Service
To give WSU student-athletes an opportunity to develop an increased sense of social responsibility and empathy by engaging with the community around them.
Butch's Bash
An opportunity to connect with the Pullman community by playing games with children. Student-athletes play a variety of carnival games with their Coug Pal. This is the event that makes Coug Pals such a fun and enriching experience. There is a bouncy house, inflatable slide, gingerbread house decorating area, and dozens of small carnival games with prizes for the kids. Student-athletes should still participate even if they did not do Coug Pals.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the Marquee community service event at WSU. It is an annual basketball tournament for disadvantaged athletes to compete for an opportunity to go to the State Championships. In 2017, more than 500 athletes competed and over 250 WSU student-athletes volunteered. The event lasts from 8:00-4:00, but student-athletes are urged to volunteer whatever time they are willing to afford. There are opportunities for student-athlete volunteers to be score keepers, referees, or fans. This is a fun and enriching experience.
Coug Pals
Each student-athlete is paired with a student from a local elementary school to be pen pals with for several months. Participants will send a letter to their coug pal each week until the end of the semester. After you get to know your Coug Pal, you get to hangout with them at Butch’s Bash! This is a fun opportunity to engage with the community and have a significant impact on a child!
Reading Buddies
Reading buddies is an opportunity to visit a local elementary school several times throughout the week to engage with children by reading books with them.
Senior Buddies
Senior Buddies is a fun activity where a group of student-athletes go to the retirement home in Pullman to spend time and engage with the elderly.
