Hall of Fame
A native of Vista, Calif., Chris Marker was an All-American swimmer for the Cougars in 1964, his senior season. Marker set numerous WSU records during his time in Pullman with two of those coming in 1963 when he won the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events at the Pacific-8 Conference Championships. Later that season he placed in the 100 and 200 at the NCAA Championships and was first alternate for the USA team at the 1963 Pan-Am Games. In 1964 he was fourth in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events and sixth in the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA championships after sweeping all three events at the Pac-8 championships. His fourth-place finishes at the NCAA Championships that year marked the highest by a Cougar swimmer in school history. Marker’s academic achievements at WSU matched his performance in athletics. He was named to Crimson Circle scholastic honorary, Beta Gamma Sigma, business major’s scholarship honorary and Sigma Iota, hotel administration honorary. Marker received WSU’s conference student-athlete award for 1964 and was chosen Greek Man of the Year at WSU. After leaving WSU he received international recognition in the hospitality industry.
