Washington State University Athletics
Cindy Fredrick Reflects on WSU Hall of Fame Career
April 17, 2026 | Volleyball
PULLMAN, Wash. (April 17, 2026) – Washington State Athletics announced March 31 that WSU volleyball will have both its former Head Coach Cindy Fredrick (1989-2003) and the entire 1996 team inducted into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame later this year.
"This is obviously an honor of a lifetime, which makes it difficult to put into words all that it means," said Fredrick. "The fifteen years at Washington State reflect the efforts and dedication of all of the young women who came through the program and built a legacy."
Fredrick compiled a 278-192 (.591) record in her 15 seasons at WSU, and left WSU with more wins than any coach of a women's sports program in school history. She led WSU to nine NCAA tournaments, including Elite Eight appearances in 1996 and 2002, and a Sweet 16 showing in 1997, and twice led WSU to final ranking of No. 7 nationally.
"Any success that I had came from the hard work, talent and commitment from all of the student athletes as well as the support staff including Athletic Trainers Mindy McDonell, Carol Zweifel, Chad Hanson and Jeanette Siemers, Sports Information Director Linda Chalich, Academic Services and Administration," Fredrick said. "We were so fortunate to have excellent Assistant Coaches in Gweyn Zechman, Mark Jones, Keri Killebrew, Jen Greeny and Shannon Hoyt Lamb. Our office and program Assistant, Jonell Peterson who kept us all organized and running smoothly as well as Marcella Stone and Laura Warner.
"And there is one person who shares this honor with me at the highest level and that is my husband, Mashallah Farokhmanesh (Farokh) - a truly great teacher and devoted coach. No better partner and no one more deserving. I also owe a huge thank you to Jim Livengood for bringing me to WSU and to Sam Smith, the most remarkable President whose advice and support was so important to me. Thank you to Rick Dickson and John Oliver who always provided the support for Cougar volleyball to succeed."
Further accolades that Fredrick collected in her career included Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 1995 along with AVCA District VIII Coach of the Year on her way to posting seven 20-plus wins seasons and 10 winning seasons during her tenure, both program records.
"I will always be grateful to the young women who were the foundation of building Washington State volleyball from a Pac-10 afterthought into a national-level program," said Fredrick. "They shared in the challenges and growth of the program, never gave up, always worked hard and gave their all to the program and each other. These women were role models for so many, including our son, Ali. They literally helped to mold him as an athlete and now as a Head Coach. We had an incredible amount of support from the students and the community which made Bohler the most dreaded place to play in the conference. We owe much to these women and the entire WSU community."
The 1996 volleyball team that was led by Fredrick posted a 27-6 record, going 14-4 in Pac-10 play, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight, and setting a program record for most regular-season wins with 25.
"The Elite Eight team was nothing short of phenomenal," Fredrick emphasized. "This was a group dedicated to success and doing whatever was necessary to achieve that success. The personalities that made up this team were literally all over the map. We melded 8 players from the State of Washington with two international players, two from California and one from Nevada. The personalities were as diverse as could be, but they had an incredible common commitment to be the best they could be, both individually and as a team. They all brought their individual talents to the team to ensure that success."
That 1996 squad became the first WSU women's team to advance past the NCAA second round as it reached the program's first NCAA Elite Eight. The magical season included wins over Stanford and UCLA for the first time in program history and checked in at No. 7 on the season's final coaches poll ranking.
"Every practice was about learning and competing," said Fredrick. "Every scrimmage was a battle to win and every player was dedicated to becoming the best she could be. They had a high volleyball IQ, they were coachable and relished the challenges presented by the Pac 10. This was a conference that had seven teams ranked in the top-20 during the season so that was a major feat. Finishing second in the Conference, tying for fifth nationally, and advancing to the Elite 8 which was the furthest any WSU team had advanced in the NCAA postseason at the time - absolutely remarkable."
Many other names on the 1996 team made an impact in addition to Fredrick. Senior Sarah Silvernail was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year and was a first-team All-America selection while Stephanie Papke earned second-team All-American honors.
"Everyone seemed to understand their role and embraced learning and developing their physical and mental game," Fredrick said. "They developed a wonderful expectation of winning and that was shared with their coaches. This group of women left an indelible mark not only on Cougar volleyball, but on the community of Pullman. They will always have a special place in both Farokh's and my heart. They are so deserving of this honor and we are so proud of them."
Fredrick and the rest of the 1996 WSU Volleyball team are set to join the current 237 individuals and teams in the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 23 at the induction dinner in Beasley Coliseum. The 2026 class also being recognized the following day at the Washington State-Boise State football game at Gesa Field.
"As the saying goes, 'Once a Coug Always a Coug'," Fredrick added. "We will always cherish the memories and time at WSU, as well as the friendships."
"This is obviously an honor of a lifetime, which makes it difficult to put into words all that it means," said Fredrick. "The fifteen years at Washington State reflect the efforts and dedication of all of the young women who came through the program and built a legacy."
Fredrick compiled a 278-192 (.591) record in her 15 seasons at WSU, and left WSU with more wins than any coach of a women's sports program in school history. She led WSU to nine NCAA tournaments, including Elite Eight appearances in 1996 and 2002, and a Sweet 16 showing in 1997, and twice led WSU to final ranking of No. 7 nationally.
"Any success that I had came from the hard work, talent and commitment from all of the student athletes as well as the support staff including Athletic Trainers Mindy McDonell, Carol Zweifel, Chad Hanson and Jeanette Siemers, Sports Information Director Linda Chalich, Academic Services and Administration," Fredrick said. "We were so fortunate to have excellent Assistant Coaches in Gweyn Zechman, Mark Jones, Keri Killebrew, Jen Greeny and Shannon Hoyt Lamb. Our office and program Assistant, Jonell Peterson who kept us all organized and running smoothly as well as Marcella Stone and Laura Warner.
"And there is one person who shares this honor with me at the highest level and that is my husband, Mashallah Farokhmanesh (Farokh) - a truly great teacher and devoted coach. No better partner and no one more deserving. I also owe a huge thank you to Jim Livengood for bringing me to WSU and to Sam Smith, the most remarkable President whose advice and support was so important to me. Thank you to Rick Dickson and John Oliver who always provided the support for Cougar volleyball to succeed."
Further accolades that Fredrick collected in her career included Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 1995 along with AVCA District VIII Coach of the Year on her way to posting seven 20-plus wins seasons and 10 winning seasons during her tenure, both program records.
"I will always be grateful to the young women who were the foundation of building Washington State volleyball from a Pac-10 afterthought into a national-level program," said Fredrick. "They shared in the challenges and growth of the program, never gave up, always worked hard and gave their all to the program and each other. These women were role models for so many, including our son, Ali. They literally helped to mold him as an athlete and now as a Head Coach. We had an incredible amount of support from the students and the community which made Bohler the most dreaded place to play in the conference. We owe much to these women and the entire WSU community."
The 1996 volleyball team that was led by Fredrick posted a 27-6 record, going 14-4 in Pac-10 play, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight, and setting a program record for most regular-season wins with 25.
"The Elite Eight team was nothing short of phenomenal," Fredrick emphasized. "This was a group dedicated to success and doing whatever was necessary to achieve that success. The personalities that made up this team were literally all over the map. We melded 8 players from the State of Washington with two international players, two from California and one from Nevada. The personalities were as diverse as could be, but they had an incredible common commitment to be the best they could be, both individually and as a team. They all brought their individual talents to the team to ensure that success."
That 1996 squad became the first WSU women's team to advance past the NCAA second round as it reached the program's first NCAA Elite Eight. The magical season included wins over Stanford and UCLA for the first time in program history and checked in at No. 7 on the season's final coaches poll ranking.
"Every practice was about learning and competing," said Fredrick. "Every scrimmage was a battle to win and every player was dedicated to becoming the best she could be. They had a high volleyball IQ, they were coachable and relished the challenges presented by the Pac 10. This was a conference that had seven teams ranked in the top-20 during the season so that was a major feat. Finishing second in the Conference, tying for fifth nationally, and advancing to the Elite 8 which was the furthest any WSU team had advanced in the NCAA postseason at the time - absolutely remarkable."
Many other names on the 1996 team made an impact in addition to Fredrick. Senior Sarah Silvernail was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year and was a first-team All-America selection while Stephanie Papke earned second-team All-American honors.
"Everyone seemed to understand their role and embraced learning and developing their physical and mental game," Fredrick said. "They developed a wonderful expectation of winning and that was shared with their coaches. This group of women left an indelible mark not only on Cougar volleyball, but on the community of Pullman. They will always have a special place in both Farokh's and my heart. They are so deserving of this honor and we are so proud of them."
Fredrick and the rest of the 1996 WSU Volleyball team are set to join the current 237 individuals and teams in the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 23 at the induction dinner in Beasley Coliseum. The 2026 class also being recognized the following day at the Washington State-Boise State football game at Gesa Field.
"As the saying goes, 'Once a Coug Always a Coug'," Fredrick added. "We will always cherish the memories and time at WSU, as well as the friendships."
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