Harrison, Bruce tabbed Coug MVPs
PULLMAN – With the Apple Cup trophy perched on a table nearby, Washington State said a last good-bye to its seniors and handed out another host of awards at its season-ending football banquet Saturday night.
Jerome Harrison, fresh from a trip to Florida where he was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, was honored as the Cougars’ offensive MVP.
The senior running back was a shoo-in for the team honor after going for 1,900 yards this season, including at least 100 in every game.
“I admire these seniors and their character, the way they’ve battled back,” head coach Bill Doba said. “I think it takes a lot of character to come back after heartbreaking losses.”
It was a junior, however, defensive end Mkristo Bruce, who garnered MVP honors on that side of the ball. Bruce led the Cougars with 10 sacks this season and figures to spearhead the team’s pass rush once again in 2006.
A trio of departing seniors won awards for their contributions above and beyond the normal positional responsibilities.
Tight end Troy Bienemann was given the Laurie Niemi Award for courage and attitude, Marty Martin was given the Frank Butler Award for spirit and Will Derting was honored with the Fred Bohler Award for inspiration.
True freshman Arkelon Hall, a prized recruit a year ago out of Fresno, Calif., was awarded scout team player of the year honors by his teammates.
Better sooner than later
WSU athletic director Jim Sterk said after the banquet that the planned Martin Stadium renovation – or at least part of it – could begin sooner than previously anticipated.
Originally, the best case scenario had construction beginning in late 2007, but now Sterk is thinking one year earlier might be a possibility.
“The bonding counsel is advising us to maybe use that facility fee and do some renovations quicker rather than later,” he said. “It may be within the year we could start on some of this stuff. … More of the restrooms, concessions, entry way, that kind of stuff.”
The Cougars began adding a $5 facility fee to every ticket last season and will do so again in 2006.
The overall cost of the planned renovation is expected to near $60 million, but Sterk said it appears possible to secure about $10 million with a bond issue in 2006. If that’s the case, then the less ambitious parts of the project would be immediately feasible.
“We’ll be nailing that down and letting people know probably around February,” Sterk said.
Notes
Sterk confirmed that WSU has finalized a home-and-home series with Minnesota for 2010 and 2011. … Season ticket prices will be rising next year, but not on a per-game basis. The 12-game schedule means an additional home game in 2006, when WSU will play six games in Pullman and one in Seattle. … Doba said no players outside of backup quarterback Josh Swogger – who was not at the team banquet – have informed him of a desire to transfer this off-season.