Washington State University Athletics

Steve Ostermann was a three-time all-conference performer during his time in a Cougar uniform. Ostermann, a native of Arlington Heights, Ill., was a member of the 1970 Coubabes freshman football team, redshirted in 1971 before starting his final three years on the WSU offensive line. Playing for legendary head coach Jim Sweeney, Ostermann was an All-Pacific-8 Conference first team selection in 1972, helping the Cougars to a 7-4 record that season while also being named to the Dean’s List. The following year Ostermann was named to the All-West Coast first team by both Associated Press and United Press International, while being picked by Football News to its All-America second team and honorable mention selections by both AP and UPI. WSU ended that season winning its final four games, including a 52-26 win over Washington, the second-straight victory over the Huskies. As a senior he capped his career with a third selection to the All-Pac-8 first team, one of only three football student-athletes to achieve that honor to that point, and was picked to play in the 1975 Hula Bowl. A co-captain that season, Ostermann was named to the UPI All-America second team, the AP All-America third team and to the All-West Coast first team by AP. He capped the season by receiving WSU’s Laurie Niemi Award for courage, spirit and humility.