Washington State University Athletics

Washington State competes in NCAA Division I, meaning big-time college sports with packed stadiums and athletic scholarships totaling $11.8 million. The Cougars play in the strong Pac-12 Conference alongside powerhouses like USC and Oregon. With 470 athletes across 13 varsity sports, student-athletes make up just 2.2% of the 21,583-person student body. The famous Apple Cup rivalry against the University of Washington dominates fall weekends, creating one of college football's most passionate atmospheres in remote Pullman. Martin Stadium transforms the small town into a sea of crimson and gray during football season. The Cougars have produced NFL talent like quarterback Drew Bledsoe and maintain competitive programs across multiple sports, with basketball and football drawing the largest crowds to the Palouse.