Washington State University Athletics
Hall of Fame
Duke Washington
- Induction:
- 2009
- Class:
- 1954
When Duke Washington made Washington State College his school of choice in 1951, little did anyone realize the impact he would later have on the school and his career. Over the course of three varsity seasons, 1952-54, Washington was the team’s star running back with more than 1,000 career rushing yards. As a senior he received All-America honorable mention honors from the Associated Press, named to the AP All-Pacific Coast Second Team, was team captain, the J. Fred Bohler Award recipient and selected as the Inland Empire Athlete of the Year. However, it was October 2, 1954, when the he really made history by lining up against the Texas Longhorns in their Memorial Stadium. Texas officials didn’t want Washington to make the trip, but the Cougar administration told Texas “no Washington, no game.” And thus he became the first African American to play football in Memorial Stadium. He also became the first African American to score a touchdown in the stadium, racing 73 yards, after which he received “the day’s loudest cheers from 28,000 fans.”
WSU Baseball: Highlights at San Jose State | 4/3/26
Saturday, April 04
WSU Baseball: "The Art of Pitching" | Nathan Choate/Griffin Smith San Jose State Postgame | 4/3/26
Saturday, April 04
WSU Baseball: "Put Ourselves in a Hole" | Nathan Choate San Jose State Postgame | 4/2/26
Friday, April 03
WSU Football: OC Matt Miller | DE Linus Zunk | OL Noah Dunham | Spring Ball Post | 4/2/26
Thursday, April 02
