With Gary Libey’s help, you nailed the essence of Jim Walden. I met with Jim in 1982 when WSU Athletics was instituting a football donor seating program. I wanted his take on what a fair allocation of seats between donors and students would look like. Back then he knew WSU needed more revenue in order to compete so he urged a compromise. Then he said, “Pete, I want those students as close [along the sidelines] to my team as possible! I want my boys to feel the energy of the Cougs.”
Nicely done John - I’m going to miss the monthly lunches with Coach. He was authentic, and a coach without a filter - such a great loss for Cougar Nation - and everyone he encountered and befriended throughout his journey.
They just don't make the Jim Walden's, Mike Leach's or Dee Andros's anymore. College football is running out of true football coaches and the country/college football is the poorer for it. As a Beaver fan, I LOVED listening to Coach Walden call a game! So raw and honest. He wore his heart on his sleeve no matter what. We desperately need more Jim Walden's in this world!! RIP Coach, the world is a better place because you were in it.
He was beloved. Remember getting to the Holiday Bowl in 1981. Cougs started to believe they belonged and could have real success. Jim was the catalyst. Great piece!
Jim Walden was so great for Cougar athletics and for college football in general. Just a great guy and a very creative coach. WSU was fighting an uphill battle when he took the head job. Some games were in Spokane, including the Apple Cup. USC wouldn't come to Pullman, everything felt like a battle. Walden brought games to Pullman, some wins in the Apple Cup, and in USC's first trip to the Palouse in decades, WSU defeated the Trojans.
Jim was just a genuine great guy. Thanks for the memories, Jim. You lived a very rich life.
WOW! What a great tribute to a GREAT American on our 250th birthday! Would love to hear some of his famous stories in print if you can do them justice.
A great tribute to an unforgettable football coach and human. It was really good to get Judge Libey's memories for this piece. Thanks, John. Appreciate it.
Your ability to write on such a personal level makes me wish I had known Coach Walden. Although I feel like I kind of do now. Thanks John and Happy 4th to everyone.
I lost a very close friend a few years ago, a really amazing person. He worked at Boeing at one time and then moved to Los Angeles. He called me just to say hello the day before he died.
In the end, that's what we have if we are fortunate, family and friends.
He was the definition of a Coug. Walden & Bob Rob were great on the radio too. Thanks to Walden, UW & USC came to Pullman to play WSU. No more "home" games in Joe Albi Stadium!
Back in the late 1980’s, we had Oregon football players rent from us and live in our home. One of our “boys” was invited to play in the East/West game. He brought his helmet home and “we” decided I should try it on. Wrong decision. First, I felt trapped, it was too heavy for my neck and I couldn’t hold my head up, and then I couldn’t get it off. The player and his friends just killed themselves laughing. Also my husband. Finally when the tears of frustration started to roll down my face, the guys took pity and took the helmet off. So this story really hit home with me. No more helmet modeling for me.
With Gary Libey’s help, you nailed the essence of Jim Walden. I met with Jim in 1982 when WSU Athletics was instituting a football donor seating program. I wanted his take on what a fair allocation of seats between donors and students would look like. Back then he knew WSU needed more revenue in order to compete so he urged a compromise. Then he said, “Pete, I want those students as close [along the sidelines] to my team as possible! I want my boys to feel the energy of the Cougs.”
Thanks for the wonderful tribute to a great COUG.
Love this. Thanks Dan.
An appropriate read on the 4th of July. Something all-American in the Walden story ..... nice tribute, John.
A slice of Americana.
Small town Americans, heart beat of the country!
Nicely done John - I’m going to miss the monthly lunches with Coach. He was authentic, and a coach without a filter - such a great loss for Cougar Nation - and everyone he encountered and befriended throughout his journey.
You get it. Thank you for this.
They just don't make the Jim Walden's, Mike Leach's or Dee Andros's anymore. College football is running out of true football coaches and the country/college football is the poorer for it. As a Beaver fan, I LOVED listening to Coach Walden call a game! So raw and honest. He wore his heart on his sleeve no matter what. We desperately need more Jim Walden's in this world!! RIP Coach, the world is a better place because you were in it.
Truth
Well said Jim!
Was at WSU from 1980 - 1984. Tremendous memories.
He was beloved. Remember getting to the Holiday Bowl in 1981. Cougs started to believe they belonged and could have real success. Jim was the catalyst. Great piece!
validated the program.
Jim Walden was so great for Cougar athletics and for college football in general. Just a great guy and a very creative coach. WSU was fighting an uphill battle when he took the head job. Some games were in Spokane, including the Apple Cup. USC wouldn't come to Pullman, everything felt like a battle. Walden brought games to Pullman, some wins in the Apple Cup, and in USC's first trip to the Palouse in decades, WSU defeated the Trojans.
Jim was just a genuine great guy. Thanks for the memories, Jim. You lived a very rich life.
Nice--so glad he and team got a win at home against USC!
WOW! What a great tribute to a GREAT American on our 250th birthday! Would love to hear some of his famous stories in print if you can do them justice.
Thank you, Don.
A great tribute to an unforgettable football coach and human. It was really good to get Judge Libey's memories for this piece. Thanks, John. Appreciate it.
That intersection fascinates me.
Your ability to write on such a personal level makes me wish I had known Coach Walden. Although I feel like I kind of do now. Thanks John and Happy 4th to everyone.
Thank you for this. Means so much to me.
Thanks, John, you provide so much.
I lost a very close friend a few years ago, a really amazing person. He worked at Boeing at one time and then moved to Los Angeles. He called me just to say hello the day before he died.
In the end, that's what we have if we are fortunate, family and friends.
Happy 250th to America!!
He was the definition of a Coug. Walden & Bob Rob were great on the radio too. Thanks to Walden, UW & USC came to Pullman to play WSU. No more "home" games in Joe Albi Stadium!
Yes, and Sam Jankovich played a key role in that as well.
An ode to a friend, so incredibly poignant.
Good friendship.
RIP Coach ...
I sure do enjoy your personal stories about life and down to earth people. They are the best of you for me and us I suppose.
Thank you Steve.
Back in the late 1980’s, we had Oregon football players rent from us and live in our home. One of our “boys” was invited to play in the East/West game. He brought his helmet home and “we” decided I should try it on. Wrong decision. First, I felt trapped, it was too heavy for my neck and I couldn’t hold my head up, and then I couldn’t get it off. The player and his friends just killed themselves laughing. Also my husband. Finally when the tears of frustration started to roll down my face, the guys took pity and took the helmet off. So this story really hit home with me. No more helmet modeling for me.
Thanks John for a “memorable “ story for me. PJH2
Flex the sides by the ears and pull straight up otherwise call the fire department.
Should be written on the ear flap. LOL
You hit the nail on the head by linking friendship and humor in your column. Thank you for sharing two men who defined the Pac 12.
Thanks, Clyde.