Catbird Seat Whether It’s Cougars Or Eagles On The Field, Local Football Fans Can’t Lose
Thirty years ago, Larry Klavano graduated from Eastern Washington University.
In all those years, he never once saw the Eagles play football.
Now, thanks to his alma mater’s amazing season, the Sandpoint real estate investor vows not to miss another game.
“It’s brought together a bunch of alumni since they’ve been in the playoffs,” Klavano said Saturday, munching a hamburger during a pre-game tailgate party outside Albi Stadium.
People headed for the game shuffled past him, wearing the crimson-and-gray of Washington State University.
“It’s probably like a hockey game, where people just wear whatever jersey they have,” Klavano reasoned.
Even at their own playoff dance, the Eagles can’t shake the Cougars’ shadow.
First, there’s WSU’s return to the Rose Bowl, then a proposal to have the bigger school take over Eastern.
Despite all that, Eagle fans are convinced the gridiron excitement at Albi - Eastern beat Western Kentucky 38-21 to advance to the Division I-AA semifinals - marks the start of a rise to prominence.
“We’re in our heyday now,” Klavano said.
Of course, many of the 7,000 fans who hollered and hooted for Eastern Saturday admitted they’re Cougar fans at heart.
One of them was Bud Cain, who sat in the stands with a hat covering his silver hair. The Valley resident went to almost every Cougar game this year.
“How could you not be a Cougar fan?” he asked.
Cain hooked his son, Don, on the team back in the 1950s, when he was a boy. Don’s going to the Rose Bowl in January.
But both were cheering on the Eagles because they love good football, no matter what the team.
“Somehow I can’t help but support what’s happening at Eastern,” Bud Cain said.
EWU sophomores Tina Olson, Andrea Jones and Stacy Johnson huddled in the cold, surrounded by people in Cougar sweatshirts, caps and jackets.
“It’s nice that they’re out supporting us, I guess,” said Olson, 20.
But the proposal to let WSU take over Eastern bothers her.
“I think Eastern is finally making a stand for itself. It’s finally doing well,” she said. “I don’t think they’ll get a lot of student support for it. It kind of takes our pride away.”
But football is football. Politics doesn’t mix with dazzling touchdown runs and game-breaking interceptions.
Members of the Cougar Fan Club were even at the game supporting the Eagles, decked in crimson jackets and covered with Wazzu blankets.
“We all love good football, so since the Cougars are not playing, we might as well come out here,” said Ned Conley of Spokane.
“They’re great,” he said of the Eagles players. “We need some of them at WSU.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo