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As the Sun Bowl quickly approaches the Cougars wrapped up their bowl practices and paid a visit to the El Paso Children's hospital Thursday. Per Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times, The Cougars sent 12 players to the hospital to hand out WSU goodie bags and visit with children.
It is always nice to see athletes going to local hospitals to meet kids, but in the holiday season it might be even more heartwarming. I'm sure the kid's and their family's were brought a little more holiday joy from our Cougs yesterday. There will probably be a few more people rooting for WSU in Friday's game after the visit.
I really recommend reading Loh's article if you haven't already, it shows a side of college athlete's that most aren't rushing to talk about. The players, led by receiver D.J. Thompson did some singing for their new fans as well.
DJ Thompson leads Cougs in singing the WSU fight song for a sick kid at El Paso Children's Hospital @nickbegg2013 pic.twitter.com/XFltC4bosJ
— Stefanie Loh (@StefanieLoh) December 25, 2015
In addition to doing some visiting the Cougs had their 10th and final bowl practice of 2015 on Christmas Eve. The bowl practices were seen as a great opportunity to get come of the younger players important reps. While on a normal game week underclassmen may only get to impress coaches on a Thursday night, during Bowl preparation those players get more of a chance to shine.
I hope that everyone is having an enjoyable Christmas Day and a great Holiday Season. Now lets go watch a nine win team tomorrow.
*****
Football:
Washington State players visit El Paso Children’s Hospital - Spokesman.com - Dec. 24, 2015
A dozen Washington State football player traipsed through the El Paso Children’s Hospital with bags of gifts, carried not by red sleds but two red wagons, to bring an early Christmas to the sick kids and their families.
Dear Santa, I've been good and so has my dad's college football team - College Football Nation Blog- ESPN
Late December bowl games pose all kinds of logistical problems for coaches and their families, who have to let Santa know of the change of plans.
Sun Bowl visit to children’s hospital leaves impression on WSU Cougars football players | The Seattle Times
For a couple of hours on Thursday afternoon, 12 players from the Cougars football team visited with sick children, giving out WSU goody bags and regaling kids and their families with the WSU fight song and some Christmas carols
Sun Bowl preview, picks: Miami-Washington State - College Football - SI.com
Prolific passers Brad Kaaya and Luke Falk square off as Miami meets Washington State in the Sun Bowl.
Miami Hurricanes Football Bowl Game Preview: Washington State Cougars - Canes Warning - A Miami Hurricanes blog
The Miami Hurricanes are set to take on the Washington State Cougars in the 2015 Hyundai Sun Bowl.
WSU receivers coach Graham Harrell cherishes his final days as a Cougar | The Seattle Times
Graham Harrell, who was a star quarterback when Mike Leach coached Texas Tech, is heading for his new job as offensive coordinator at North Texas.
Washington State Cougars hire Dave Nichol as outside receivers coach
Washington State has hired former East Carolina offensive coordinator Dave Nichol as new outside wide receivers coach.
Basketball:
Preview: Washington State vs. New Mexico | Sports - WSBT.com
Waking up on time might be the biggest challenge for Washington State and New Mexico when they meet in a consolation game Friday morning at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.