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Spokane-area business owner
gives $5 million to EWU
stadium renovation project
Just two weeks after unveiling plans to renovate Roos Field, Eastern Washington announced a $5 million gift from a prominent local business owner — the largest individual private gift ever made to Eastern.
The gift from Jack Gillingham, a Cheney resident who owns several businesses on the West Plains and in Spokane, will be structured around an initial payment to expedite the replacement of the Roos Field’s red turf, with the remainder disbursed over the next four years, EWU athletic director Lynn Hickey said.
Senior associate athletic director Devon Thomas said Eastern has been accepting gifts and pledges since the announcement of the stadium renovation. The 52-year-old stadium will be completely renovated with all new seats including new premium seating offerings. Those who make gifts and pledges now will be contacted regarding options of how their contributions may be utilized toward future seating options.
Thomas said stadium naming rights are still available, and that the school is working with Gillingham to thoughtfully recognize his generous contribution, which includes an on-field check presentation at the next home football game on Saturday, Sept. 28.
NIC golf coach Grove
second at PNW PGA
Professional Championship
LACEY, Wash. — Russell Grove nearly pulled off a three-peat this week.
The two-time defending champion and North Idaho College men’s and women’s golf coach finished tied for second Thursday at the Pacific Northwest PGA Professional Championship at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club.
More importantly, by placing in the top seven, Grove earned a spot in the 2020 PGA Professional Championship in Austin, Texas on April 26-29. There, the top 20 finishers earn a place in the PGA Championship at Harding Park Golf Club in San Francisco on May 11-17.
Grove shot 73-67-70—210, 6 under par. He finished two strokes back of Corey Prugh, the Community Colleges of Spokane golf coach and 2016 champion, who shot a 72-67-69—208, 8 under par.
Jeff Gove of Sandpoint finished fourth, shooting 71-72-69—212, 4 under par.
West Coast Conference
adds CBS Sports Network
as TV partner
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — The West Coast Conference announced two media rights agreements, extending its long-standing relationship with ESPN and beginning a new television partnership with CBS Sports, showcasing WCC men’s basketball games.
With the agreements, as many as 34 men’s basketball games each season will be televised on either ESPN’s networks or CBS Sports Network.
The WCC and ESPN extend a partnership that began nearly two decades ago, teaming up on a new eight-year agreement to feature men’s basketball games across ESPN’s networks. The new agreement provides for a package of men’s basketball games to be broadcast on ESPN’s networks through the 2026-27 season.
ESPN will broadcast 17 games during the regular season, along with the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game of the WCC men’s basketball tournament. ESPN will continue to showcase the WCC women’s basketball tournament championship game and a selection of additional women’s basketball or Olympic sports contests each season during the term. Each broadcast will also be available on the ESPN App, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
The conference and CBS Sports begin a new, multi-year partnership starting with the 2019-20 season. The deal features a minimum of nine men’s basketball games each season on CBS Sports Network.