Washington State University Athletics
Cougar Hall of Famer Dick Fry Passes Away at 103
May 28, 2026 | WSU Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. (May 28, 2026) βΒ Richard B. "Dick" Fry, one of the great figures in Washington State University's history," passed away Wednesday, May 27, in Pullman. Fry was 103.
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For more than half a century, Fry's work at Washington State as a writer, historian and mentor is unmatched. The Oroville, Calif. native began his Cougar career in 1952 writing alumni news. In 1957, he became the sports information director in the Washington State Athletic Department. In 1970, Fry took over as the director of news and information services for the Cougars.
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"Dick was a WSU Hall-of-Famer in every way and a friend to every Cougar he ever met," said Rod Commons, WSU Hall of Fame Sports Information Director. "He came to WSU in 1952 to edit a magazine and ended up a Coug for life. Dick wrote the history of Cougar Athletics for WSU's Centennial and in 2025 published another book about WSU legends. He was truly a one-in-a-generation Cougar and one of my greatest friends and mentors."
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Even though he was no longer employed by the WSU Athletic Department, Fry continued to be an integral part of it. He wrote stories that appeared in the vast majority of Cougar football gameday programs well into the 21st century. Fry's masterpiece came after his retirement in 1985. His relentless research culminated three years later withΒ The Crimson and The Gray β 100 Years with the WSU Cougars, a book that detailed the history of Cougar student-athletes, coaches and teams. It was one of three books produced for Washington State's 100-year anniversary, and by far the most popular. Nearly 30 years later, Fry released a follow-up, "101 Old Re-Fry'd Cougar Tales," a collection of his stories highlighting great individuals and team throughout Washington State Athletics' history.
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Fry was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and was inducted into the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of fame Scroll of Honor in 1993. In 2024, Washington State UniversityΒ recognized Fry's impact on its history by officially naming the athletic communications offices the Richard B. "Dick" Fry Athletics Communications Suite.
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For more than half a century, Fry's work at Washington State as a writer, historian and mentor is unmatched. The Oroville, Calif. native began his Cougar career in 1952 writing alumni news. In 1957, he became the sports information director in the Washington State Athletic Department. In 1970, Fry took over as the director of news and information services for the Cougars.
Β
"Dick was a WSU Hall-of-Famer in every way and a friend to every Cougar he ever met," said Rod Commons, WSU Hall of Fame Sports Information Director. "He came to WSU in 1952 to edit a magazine and ended up a Coug for life. Dick wrote the history of Cougar Athletics for WSU's Centennial and in 2025 published another book about WSU legends. He was truly a one-in-a-generation Cougar and one of my greatest friends and mentors."
Β
Even though he was no longer employed by the WSU Athletic Department, Fry continued to be an integral part of it. He wrote stories that appeared in the vast majority of Cougar football gameday programs well into the 21st century. Fry's masterpiece came after his retirement in 1985. His relentless research culminated three years later withΒ The Crimson and The Gray β 100 Years with the WSU Cougars, a book that detailed the history of Cougar student-athletes, coaches and teams. It was one of three books produced for Washington State's 100-year anniversary, and by far the most popular. Nearly 30 years later, Fry released a follow-up, "101 Old Re-Fry'd Cougar Tales," a collection of his stories highlighting great individuals and team throughout Washington State Athletics' history.
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Fry was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and was inducted into the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of fame Scroll of Honor in 1993. In 2024, Washington State UniversityΒ recognized Fry's impact on its history by officially naming the athletic communications offices the Richard B. "Dick" Fry Athletics Communications Suite.
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