Eastern Washington Eagles
| Eastern Washington Eagles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Eastern Washington University |
| Conference | Big Sky |
| NCAA | Division I (FCS) |
| Athletic director | Bill Chaves |
| Location | Cheney, Washington |
| Varsity teams | 12 |
| Football stadium | Roos Field |
| Basketball arena | Reese Court |
| Mascot | Swoop |
| Nickname | Eagles |
| Fight song | Go, Eagles, Go |
| Colors |
Red and White[1] |
| Website |
goeags |
 | |
The Eastern Washington Eagles are the intercollegiate varsity athletic teams of Eastern Washington University in Cheney, southwest of Spokane. A member of the Big Sky Conference, EWU's athletic program comprises five men's sports: basketball, cross country, football, tennis, and track and field, and seven women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Varsity athletics
Eastern has been a member of NCAA Division I since the summer of 1983, moving up from Division II. For most of its history, Eastern was a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) before upgrading its programs and becoming affiliated with the NCAA. Eastern Washington has been a member of the Big Sky athletic conference since 1987. The school's mascot is Swoop and the school colors are red and white.
EWU formerly had varsity programs in baseball, wrestling, and gymnastics (men's & women's).[2][3] Baseball and wrestling were discontinued 26 years ago, following the 1990 seasons.[4][5][6] In 2010, EWU won the NCAA Division I FCS National Championship, EWU's first national championship at the Division I level for any sport.
In 1973, the student body voted to make Eastern’s mascot the Eagles.[7][8] Shortly before that, the Eastern Board of Trustees declared "Savages," its mascot through its first 92 years, no longer acceptable. Eagles are native to eastern Washington and thus a logical choice for a replacement.
Football
Eastern football is currently coached by Beau Baldwin and competes at the Football Championship Subdivision level of NCAA Division I football. Eastern claimed its first football national championship in 2010, defeating the University of Delaware by a score of 20-19 in the FCS National Championship Game.[9]
Men's basketball
Eastern men's basketball is currently coached by Jim Hayford. Eastern has claimed two Big Sky regular season championships and two Big Sky conference tournament championships. Eastern advanced to the NCAA tournament and the NCAA tournament. Eastern lost to Oklahoma State in the first round in 2004 and Georgetown in the opening round in 2015.
Facilities
Roos Field
The EWU football team plays at Roos Field, opened in 1967 and recently expanded and renovated in 2004 and 2010 to seat 11,702. The stadium was originally named 'Woodward Field' in honor of former Eagles head football and basketball coach Arthur C. Woodward. It replaced the original Woodward Field, which was located near the present JFK Library.[10]
Reese Court
Reese Court is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to the Eastern Washington University women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball teams. It replaced the Eastern Washington Fieldhouse when it opened in 1981. Reese Court was named for former Eagles football coach William B. "Red" Reese.
Rivalries
Montana Grizzlies
The EWU-UM Governors Cup is the annual college football game between the Montana Grizzlies and the Eastern Eagles. Traditionally, it is in the middle of the regular season, played on the Saturday alternating between Roos Field and Washington-Grizzly Stadium each year. The Eagles currently trail in the series with 11 wins and 25 losses.
Mascot
In 1973, the student body voted to make Eastern’s mascot the Eagles.[7][8] Shortly before that, the Eastern Board of Trustees declared "Savages," its mascot through its first 92 years, no longer acceptable. Eagles are native to eastern Washington and thus a logical choice for a replacement.
References
- ↑ EWU Identity Standards (PDF). Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ↑ "Eagle wins all-around". Spokesman-Review. March 3, 1979. p. 22.
- ↑ "Eastern inducts four individuals in 2008 class". Eastern Washington University Athletics. 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- ↑ Boling, Dave (May 31, 1990). "Baseball, wrestling to go at EWU". Spokane Chronicle. p. C1.
- ↑ "EWU cuts two sports; audit ends". Spokesman-Review. June 19, 1990. p. C1.
- ↑ Stalwick, Howie (June 21, 1990). "Wasem says he, program got shafted". Spokesman-Review. p. D1.
- 1 2 "School selects eagle as mascot". Palm Beach Post. UPI. July 13, 1973. p. D5.
- 1 2 "'Cats lead only one statistic". Ellensburg Daily Record. October 11, 1973. p. 6.
- ↑ "Title". Eastern Washington University Athletics. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ↑ goeags.cstv.com/facilities/ewas-woodward.html
