Washington State University Athletics

For 31 years, beginning in 1976 and through his retirement in 2007, Rod Commons was a fixture of Washington State Athletics. His efforts in promoting WSU student-athletes and coaches brought national pride to the Cougars, including six top 10 finishes in the Heisman Trophy balloting, 282 track and field All-Americans, 20 baseball All-Americans, including John Olerud, Baseball America’s 1988 Player of the Year, as well as five NCAA men’s and women’s basketball appearances to name just a few. His innovation and creativity led to highly successful promotional campaigns for Cougar student-athletes, including the famed “RPM Backfield” promoting the 1985 Cougar football team. During his years in Pullman, Commons mentored countless professional staff and student assistants to leadership roles across the country in athletics and news media. He was also nationally renowned among his peers, serving as the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) President and later inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2007, receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Additionally, he is a member of the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame Scroll of Honor. Following his retirement, Commons continued his association with the Cougars, serving as photographer and historian for the athletic department.