ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University alumnus Al "Moose" Clausen, a beloved figure in Pacific Northwest baseball and a longtime friend of CWU, died Monday at the age of 88.
 
A 1961 graduate of Central Washington, Clausen earned his bachelor's degree in economics and was inducted into the CWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001 for Meritorious Service. His connection to baseball and community service would extend far beyond his college years.
 
Born and raised in Seattle, Clausen attended Ballard High School, where baseball coaches gave him the nickname "Moose." He went on to play baseball at Central and also earned recognition as a member of the All-College Bowling team. After serving in the U.S. Army, he spent 14 years as an insurance agent with New York Life before beginning a three-decade career with the Seattle Mariners in 1982.
 
During his 30 years with the Mariners, Clausen held a variety of positions in sales and marketing, eventually becoming a senior account executive and overseeing suite sales at what was then Safeco Field. He retired from the organization in 2012 after three decades of service.
 
But Clausen's legacy was about much more than baseball. He was deeply involved in the community, serving with organizations including the Ballard High School Foundation, Washington Athletic Club and Hope Heart Institute. His commitment to service was recognized by the Mariners RBI Club, which named its annual Al "Moose" Clausen Community Service Award in his honor. The award recognizes members of the Mariners organization for significant contributions to their communities.
 
That spirit of service was also remembered by those who worked alongside him. In the Seattle Times tribute published following his death, longtime Mariners figures described Clausen as someone who genuinely cared about people and made a lasting impression on those around him. More than 500 friends, family members and colleagues gathered at Safeco Field when he retired in 2012—a reflection of the relationships he built throughout his career.
 
For Central Washington University, Al "Moose" Clausen leaves a legacy that reaches well beyond his Hall of Fame recognition. He represented the values of service, community and connection that can make a university education meaningful long after graduation.
 
His life brought together his love of baseball, his dedication to his community and his enduring connection to Central.