ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 12) — From 1972-76, the Central Washington University football team had a marvelous run. The Wildcats won 27 games during that span, including a 9-1 campaign in 1972, when the team went undefeated in Evergreen Conference play.
An estimated 50 members of those five teams have returned to Ellensburg this weekend for a reunion to commemorate their seasons, along with to cheer on the 2014 Wildcats in the team's home opener Saturday (Sept. 13).
Keith Schulz, a three-year letterman at offensive guard for the Cats during the 70s, was among those who helped to organize the reunion.
"It was prompted by the passing of Steve Shaw, who was one of our key players," Schulz said.
Known as the owner of Shaw's Furniture and Appliance in Ellensburg, Shaw, 59, died unexpectedly in 2013. As a member of the Wildcat football team, he lettered for four years and was named All-Evergreen Conference three of those seasons.
"At the memorial, several of us got together and agreed that we needed to have a reunion," Schulz recalled. "Basically, it's a 40-year reunion. A lot of us haven't seen each other since our playing days. "
It's likely some of those players have also not seen their coach since then. CWU Athletic Hall of Fame member Tom Parry guided all of those teams. His 95 career victories still tops the football wins' total for CWU coaches. Parry will be an honored guest at the weekend festivities.
Those festivities will include an informal get together Friday night at Spurs Bar & Grill in Ellensburg, a gathering at the Cat's Den tent before and during Saturday's game, and another chance to connect at Spurs on Saturday night after the game to watch video highlights of teams from the 1970s, complied from the CWU archives, to reacquaint, rekindle old friendships and "tell a few old war stories," said Schulz, with a chuckle.
CWU Athletic Director Dennis Francois added, "It's great to see these former Wildcats return to their alma mater to reminisce about their careers here, and to share some of their stories with those of us who weren't here then. These teams certainly played a big role in Wildcat football history and helped build the foundation for the program we have today."
