Washington State University Athletics
Looking Back at Washington State's First Homecoming
The headline pictured above is from The Evergreen's story describing Washington State College's 23-0 victory against Whitman, Nov. 8, 1913.
The game was played at a newly renovated facility at the college, Rogers Field.
Today, Rogers Field is used as a practice field for the Cougar football team:
Over a century ago, it was the site of the first Homecoming game in Washington State history.
As fans descend on Pullman for this weekend's Homecoming festivities and Saturday's game against California, it continues a tradition that began in 1913.
Below is the program cover and the page with the Homecoming information from the game program. The entire program can be viewed at the WSU Libraries Manuscripts, Archives & Special Collections website.
The Evergreen, the Washington State student newspaper, published a story, Oct. 28, 1913, about a new tradition to begin at Washington State College with the sub-head: "W.S.C. Springs Innovation New to Northwest."
It begins:
"November 8, 1913 will be the date upon which will occur an event absolutely new in college circles of the Northwest. On this date the State College of Washington will hold its First Annual Home-Coming Day which will be the first of its kind not only for W.S.C. but the Northwest as well.
An annual Home-Coming Day is a regular occurrence, however, at the majority of the institutions of the middle west this is one of the big affairs of the year, wherever held, and of course such will undoubtably prove to be the case here."
The story continues with the below paragraph. The last sentence can apply to those who will see the new Martin Stadium for the first time this weekend.
"The one big attraction of the event will be the W.S.C.-Whitman game, which will be the first real pigskin tussle on the big, new Rogers Field. The latter alone will be a sight to brighten the eye of the player or rooter of former years."
And it concludes with this prophetic statement:
"It is the idea to make this event the one big affair of the college year and plans are now being laid in this connection for years to come."
Go Cougs!
Jason Krump, WSU Athletics
