Cougars Losing Key Player After A Trying Freshman Year, Archibald Returns To Utah To Be Near His Family

Beau Archibald, one of the promising players on the Washington State University men’s basketball team, announced he is leaving the program to return home to Provo, Utah.

Archibald, a 6-foot-6 wing who was entering his sophomore year of eligibility, suffered through a draining school year that culminated with the death of his father, Lynn Archibald.

Lynn died of prostate cancer on May 28. The longtime basketball coach last served as director of basketball operations at Brigham Young University during the 1996-97 season.

“This does not come as a surprise,” said WSU spokesman Wes Werner about Archibald’s decision. “Their family is very close. For the most part, Lynn and Anne (Beau’s mother) traveled on the road for most of the away games.”

Beau plans to return to Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah, a school he attended part-time during the 1995-96 academic year. In a press release, WSU coach Kevin Eastman said no future basketball plans for Archibald have been discussed.

In his first year with the Cougars, Archibald was the team’s fourth-leading scorer (6.1 points per game). He was the team’s sixth man and came off the bench in 29 games. He also was second in blocked shots with 14.

The departure of Archibald leaves the Cougars with 11 players on scholarship for the 1997-98 year.

Junior guard Will Hutchens of Dayton, Wash., a walk-on during his first two years, has earned a scholarship for the 1997-98 basketball season.

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