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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Book signing with co-author of The System

Released in mid-September, "The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football" is the latest vignette-styled, behind-the-action look at college football. The 386-page book offers insight and access into the recruiting, game planning, struggles and successes of the college football season.

WSU fans will be interested in a number of chapters related to coach Mike Leach and athletic director Bill Moos,Oct and even a look at President Elson Floyd's administration. For example:

Every athletic director has to have a trusted confidant, someone on staff capable of handling sensitive situations that arise behind the scenes when running the most visible department on campus. In Bill Moos' case, he turned to Mike Marlow, a gregarious fellow who spent thirteen years toiling away in the athletic department at Oregon. That's how Moos knew him. Marlow used to work for Moos in Eugene. But Marlow was a graduate of WSU, and when Moos offered him a job at his alma mater, he didn't hesitate.

More from the excerpt -- and information on book signings -- after the jump.

...

When Marlow arrived in Pullman in August 2010, he was given the same title he had at Oregon -- senior associate athletic director -- and put in charge of marketing, fund-raising, tickets and dealing with multimedia rights holders. But his most valuable asset to Moos was not listed in his job description -- the keeper of secrets. At the start of the 2011 season, Moos told Marlow something strictly confidential about head football coach Paul Wulff: he had to win at least six games in the 2011 season to keep his job. "This might not work out," Moos told Marlow.

Co-author Jeff Benedict will be in Pullman in the upcoming weeks to conduct book signings and appearances with Moos and Leach. Those dates are below.

  • Oct. 31 at The Bookie pre-game with athletic director Bill Moos.
  • Nov. 1 on campus with Mike Leach.
  • Benedict will also be speaking with Murrow College students at 4 p.m. on Oct. 30


Jacob Thorpe
Jacob Thorpe joined The Spokesman-Review in 2013. He currently is a reporter for the Sports Desk covering Washington State University athletics.

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