Cougar Spirit remains strong despite little communication regarding marching band’s absence from Apple Cup

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PART 1: This Year’s Absence

Repeated requests for comment and a public records request did not lead to answers as to why the Washington State University marching band will not be performing at this year’s Apple Cup, an age-old tradition.

The Cougars would have performed on September 6 at the University of Washington. 

Performance or not, Cougar spirit is prevalent this year, with recent and longer back alumni recalling the band’s great teamwork, including when the band played UW’s fight song at the Apple Cup in 2018, and their lifelong lessons from Washington State University.

This year’s cancellation came to light on July 30 when a post in the Die Hard Cougs Facebook group claimed the band would not be performing. 

The claim was corroborated by WSU Director of Athletic Bands Jon Sweet, who commented that the cancellations were a complicated and nuanced decision. 

When reached by phone, Sweet declined to comment on the article. 

Further, a public records request submitted on August 24 asking for any available documentation on the reasons for this year’s absence led to a standstill. A September 1 response stated, “We hope to complete our review of records responsive to your Public Records Request and respond to you by February 25, 2027; however, more time may be necessary.”

David Wasson, WSU Director for News and Media Relations, did not reply to an initial August 20 inquiry and a follow up email generated an auto-reply about being on vacation through the end of the month. 

An August 25 email to Pam Scott, WSU Vice President for System Communications and Strategy, in Wasson’s absence directed Inland Northwest News to the football sports information director, Bobby Alworth. 

Alworth did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls. 

Meanwhile, he told The Spokesman-Review the decision had to do with poor stadium seating placement. 

University of Washington Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations Kurt Svoboda stated WSU’s non attendance was not due to any decisions by UW. 

“Whether to bring its marching band to Husky Stadium is a decision made by the visiting institution,” he wrote by email.

PART 2: Marching Band’s Cross Team Unity

On November 22, 2018, one of six buses carrying University of Washington band members rolled over on I-90 East near George, Washington on the way to the Apple Cup in Pullman.

Forty seven band members were transported to local hospitals as a precaution with non life threatening injuries. The band returned home to Seattle.

The Washington State University marching band learned of the crash during a rehearsal that night, said Troy Bennefield, who was the director of athletic bands at the time.

During said rehearsal, the band came to a consensus to perform the UW fight song in addition to their own fight song  during the Apple Cup the next day as a sign of respect in the rival team’s absence.

The idea was okayed by the University of Washington’s Director of Athletic Bands Brad McDavid, he said, and the song was first practiced the next morning.

“We pretty much devoted the whole rehearsal to it,” he said. “It went surprisingly smoothly.” 

Rick Flores, who was a senior at the time and participated in marching band all four years of his time at WSU, playing trumpet, said it wasn’t too difficult for the band to learn the song day of. 

“We’re used to learning shows in a week, or less, sometimes,” he said. 

Despite the rivalry, the WSU band was proud to play the song, Flores said. 

“The football rivalry is one thing. But the bands, we always had a saying of, ‘the band always wins,’” he said. “We like seeing other bands and we don’t really like to talk trash about each other’s bands.”

The University of Washington marching band played WSU’s fight song in return at the 2019 Apple Cup in Seattle, spelling out the word “thanks” while playing.  

It was an emotional moment for Bennefield. 

“That was really cool,” he said. “I remember getting a little teary.” 

Marching bands have always had a legacy of working together, Bennefield said, which “hasn’t changed one bit.” 

While Bennefield moved on from his role as director because of family responsibilities, he is excited to see the wonderful things the band is currently doing. 

Flores is still involved in the marching band community post graduation, as president of the Cougar Alumni Band association and he currently volunteers teaching marching band at Stanwood High School. 

Flores still keeps in contact with many during his time in the marching band. Bennefield even officiated Flores’ wedding. 

Most of all, he will always be proud to be a Coug. 

“The whole Cougs help Cougs thing, I truly believe that’s important,” Flores said. “If a Coug asks me for help, I am going to do what I can to help them.” 

PART 3: A Cougar Legacy Spans Generations

For 1985 WSU graduate Anne Buck, née Harkonen, participating in the marching band put her in touch with what it meant to be a Coug. 

“When I got to Pullman, you know, my parents brought me over for check-in and registration and I tried out for the band. And I made it. It was the most excited I’ve been,” she said. “I was so excited. And I loved it.” 

She is a third generation Coug and the mother of two fourth generation Cougs, who graduated in 2023 and 2024. Her grandfather played on the football team in the 1930s.

Buck had a great experience at WSU, enjoying community, friends and growing up together. She said the band was her built-in friend and support group.

The highlight of Buck’s time at WSU was in the fall of her sophomore year. By the time of the Apple Cup, the football team had only won two games.

The marching band ran out to the field in all crimson uniforms, performing in front of a home crowd and witnessing a “miraculous” and unexpected victory.

“It was counting down. We were ahead by four points. And we looked up in the student section. It was packed,” she said. “It started flowing down. They stormed the field and took the goal post down.”

Buck has regularly attended football games since graduating and plans to come over for two games this year. 

The Apple Cup this Sunday is the first football game of the year for the Cougs. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. 

Washington leads in all-time Apple Cup heading into the 118th match up with a 77-34-6 record.  

EDITORS NOTE: This article was corrected at 8:05 p.m. on September 2, 2026. Buck’s grandfather was on the football team, not the marching band.
This article was corrected at 11:10 p.m. on September 2, 2026 to delete a repeated “and bands,” in a direct quote of Rick Flores.