Adding a varsity sport to WSU athletics

The Washington State Cougars have 15 varsity teams - six men’s teams and nine women’s teams. Those 15 programs are the fewest in the Pac-12. For comparison, the California Golden Bears have 28 programs, ranging from your traditional sports such as football and basketball to less prominent ones such as women’s field hockey and men’s rugby.

WSU’s athletic department is in a financial deficit - thanks to the recent renovations to Martin Stadium - and no new programs are expected to be added to the university anytime soon. However, isn’t it fun to think about the idea of the Cougars adding several new programs to its athletics?

To add programs you need to add new fields and playing surfaces but in WSU’s case, they already have those.

Gymnastics could take place in Beasley Coliseum as it does at Alaska Airlines Arena and the Huntsman Center (along with other Pac-12 arena’s). The Lower Soccer Field could be home to a men’s soccer team, and a water polo or men’s swim and dive team would be another tenant for Gibb Pool inside the Physical Education Building. Heck, clear some space off Grimes Way for a softball field.

What program would you add if you had the choice?