Washington State Cougars Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Kyle Smith

Team Mascot: Butch The Cougar

Year Opened: 1973

Capacity: 12000

City / State: Pullman / Washington

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Washington State Cougars vs Washington Huskies

Rival Team: Washington Huskies

The Cougars and Huskies have a long-running rivalry that dates back to the 1909-10 season. The two teams have met every year since 1916-17 and have almost as strong a rivalry on the hardwood as on the gridiron, so don’t miss it when these two Evergreen State rivals square off.

Washington State Cougars vs Gonzaga Bulldogs

Rival Team: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Pullman and Spokane are only 75 miles apart sparking an intense rivalry between Washington State and Gonzaga. The two schools first met in 1907 and have met annually since 2001, so make sure to be in attendance when the Cougars and Bulldogs meet.

Battle of the Palouse

Rival Team: Idaho Vandals

Idaho is the closest school to Washington State with only eight miles separating the two. Over the years the two schools have developed strong rivalries in a variety of sports and basketball is no different. Washington State and Idaho have played every year since 1906, so circle the date on the schedule when the Vandals come to town.

Washington State Cougars vs Oregon State Beavers

Rival Team: Oregon State Beavers

The Washington State-Oregon State rivalry is a longstanding rivalry that predates the Pac-12. There is no love lost between these two rivals, and there are always plenty of bragging rights on the line when the two meet, so don’t miss it when the Cougars and Beavers play.

Washington State Cougars Stadium Guide

In Game

Washington State fans are some of the most welcoming in college basketball, which makes attending a game at Beasley Coliseum a great experience. The Cougars even go as far as allowing anyone who wants to join the ZZU CRU student group. Memberships cost $10, and you’ll receive a t-shirt making joining the ZZU CRU a no-brainer for anyone looking to pick up a souvenir from their trip to Pullman.

In addition to being very hospitable, you’ll also find that Cougars fans can really rock an arena when the team is doing well, and it’s an important game. Washington State fans love to come out and cheer on their team. Unfortunately, they haven’t had a lot to cheer about over the years.

Finally, Pullman is a fun college town full of bars and restaurants, so take some time to check out the area and grab a bite to eat. Cougar Country Drive-In and The Coug are especially great places to try if you want to get the full Washington State feel.

A trip to Pullman is a fun trip for everyone looking to visit all of the Pac-12 arenas. You’ll find lots of friendly people and a fun College-town-feel making the trip well worth your time.

Things to check out

Friel Court

The court inside Beasley Coliseum is named after legendary Cougars basketball coach Jack Friel. Friel won 495 games during his 30 years at WSU, and the court is one of only a few in NCAA Division I basketball to feature a parquet floor, so check it out.

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Banners

Hanging from the rafters of Beasley Coliseum are banners honoring the Cougars 1917 national championship winning team as well as the 1941 Final Four team. Check out the banners to see all of the accomplishments of the Cougars basketball program.

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Butch T. Cougar

Butch has been a costumed mascot since 1978 when it replaced the final live cougar mascot, Butch VI. Throughout games, Butch entertains the fans by leading chants and throwing t-shirts into the stands. Look for Butch to entertain fans young and old when attending a Washington State basketball game.

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ZZU CRU

The ZZU CRU student fan club is a great way for Cougars fans to show their support for Washington State basketball. The club costs $10 to enter and has over 2,750 members. Members receive all kinds of benefits and can win a variety of prizes making it an excellent club to join. Anyone can join, so even if you just want a ZZU CRU shirt, join the club and show off your Cougars pride.

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Fight Songs

  1. Washington State Fight Song

    Fight, fight, fight for Washington State!
    Win the victory!
    Win the day for Crimson and Gray!
    Best in the West,
    we know you’ll all do your best,
    so On, on, on, on! Fight to the end!
    Honor and Glory you must win!
    So Fight, fight, fight for Washington State
    and victory!

Washington State Cougars Bars & Restaurants

  1. Paradise Creek Brewery

    Paradise Creek beer

    Beers brewed in the basement of an old post office, with a spacious bar upstairs serving pub fare.

    245 SE Paradise St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-338-9463

    Bar website

    american - $$

  2. Etsi Bravo

    Etsi Bravo

    The atmosphere is great and was the perfect transition from laidback upscale bar to night club for any event.

    215 E Main St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-715-1037

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. The Coug

    The Coug

    Favorite hang out spot of the WSU students.

    900 NE Colorado St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-332-1265

    Bar website

    american - $

  4. My Office Bar & Grill

    My Office Bar

    Serving our community for over 50 years, MY OFFICE BAR & GRILL features a full bar and 29 beers on tap.

    215 S Grand Ave, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-1202

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. Rico’s Public House

    Ricos

    Rico's offers a full menu of American style food including hot sandwiches, seafood (the best fish'n'chips in Pullman), salads, and the best burgers in town.

    200 E Main St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-332-6566

    Bar website

    american - $$

  6. Stubblefields Bar

    Working Man Friend Beer Tiki Hut Pub & Grill Beer 4th and Mill Beer

    Biggest bar on the Palouse!

    600 NE Colorado St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-7900

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  7. Valhalla

    Valhalla

    COUGAR OWNED. COUGAR RUN. COUGAR PRIDE.

    1000 NE Colorado St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-7775

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  8. Porch Light Pizza

    Porch Light Pizza

    Hip & cozy parlor featuring artisanal pizzas, salads & tap beers, plus a few outside tables.

    200 NE Kamiaken St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-7437

    Bar website

    pizza - $

  9. Foundry Kitchen & Cocktails

    Foundry

    Makes it a responsibility to source each of the products and ingredients they prepare from scratch each day.

    125 SE Spring St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-339-7727

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Zoe Coffeehouse & Pub

    Zoe Coffee Pub

    We have now been providing Award Winning Coffees, Delicious Food, and Tasty Beverages to WSU and the Pullman Community for over 10 years

    1005 E Main St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-338-9632

    Bar website

    cafe - $$

  11. The Black Cypress

    Black Cypress

    Greek & Italian eats served in industrial-chic spot with brick walls, tented ceiling & cocktails.

    215 E Main St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-5800

    Bar website

    european - $$

  12. Mandarin House

    Asian

    Unpretentious Chinese restaurant serving standard fare such as crab rangoon & beef with broccoli.

    115 N Grand Ave, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-332-1888

    Bar website

    asian - $$

  13. Birch & Barley

    Birch and Barley burger fries

    Buzzy spot for market-driven New American eats & a 500+ beer list in a chic exposed-brick space.

    1360 Bishop Blvd, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-332-0108

    Bar website

    american - $$

  14. Cougar Country Drive-In

    Cougar Country

    Sandwiches, sides & other classic American fast food are served at this longstanding restaurant.

    760 N Grand Ave, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-332-7829

    Bar website

    american - $$

  15. Heros N Sports

    Heros n Sports

    Check out their Panini's, Grilled Wraps, Hot Sandwiches, Subs, Salads and more!

    245 NE Kamiaken St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-5423

    Bar website

    american - $

  16. Sella’s Calzone & Pizza

    Sellas Calzone burger

    Relaxed yet busily decorated establishment offering hearty Italian recipes & patio seating.

    1115 E Main St, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

    509-334-1895

    Bar website

    italian - pizza - $$