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Northwest Notes Sept. 16, 2020

| September 16, 2020 1:17 AM

'Are You In?' campaign aims to raise money for scholarships, help support EWU football program

Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams, the former Eastern Washington star, has issued the rallying cry, and, along with the Eastern Washington University athletic department, is challenging Eagle fans far and wide to mirror that commitment.

The "Are You In?" fundraising campaign has begun and has a goal of $2 million to help alleviate recent budget shortfalls created by the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting postponement of the 2020 football season. Kupp, a four-time All-America wide receiver for EWU from 2013-16, has challenged EWU fans and friends to consider a gift to the Eagle Athletic Fund (EAF), with proceeds providing scholarships to EWU's student-athletes across all sports.

The "Are You In" web site and giving portal is available via: https://www.ewu.edu/areyouin.

Kupp and other former EWU football players have met together virtually multiple times in hopes of spearheading a fund drive geared toward former student-athletes and raising money for scholarships at EWU. The result was a broader plea for all Eagles to give back to an athletics program that has developed such a rich tradition since becoming a member of NCAA Division I in the 1983-84 school year, and the Big Sky Conference in the fall of 1987.

The group seeks scholarship support for all sports. They also hope to continue to improve and update EWU's athletic facilities, as well as create a lasting endowment.

"The lessons I learned at EWU extended beyond the football field," Kupp said in an Instagram post on Sept. 8, just a few days before the Rams opened their 2020 NFL schedule with a 20-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. "I learned how to make the most of the least. Learned how to find a way when the advantages and odds were stacked against me. Learned how to pull together with others to pull through."

Clarke, Hachimura Named to NBA All-Rookie teams

Clarke tabbed first team, while Hachimura was second team

NEW YORK – Former Gonzaga standouts Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura were named NBA All-Rookie first team and second team, respectively the league announced Tuesday.

Clarke became the first Zag to be named to the league’s All-Rookie first team.

The teams are determined by vote from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Clarke received the third-most points in the voting (189) and the third-most first team votes (92). Hachimura received 74 points in the voting.

Clarke was also the first first-team selection from the West Coast Conference since San Francisco’s Quintin Dailey in 1982-83. It was also the first time in conference history that two former players were selected All-Rookie in the same season. Former Zag Kelly Olynyk was second team All-Rookie in 2013-14, and Adam Morrison was second team in 2006-07.

Clarke, who was selected by Oklahoma City with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft before his rights were later traded to Memphis, set the NBA rookie record (among league qualifiers) for field goal percentage (.618, fourth in the NBA) and ranked first among qualified rookies in rebounds (5.9), second in blocks (0.83) and 10th in scoring average (12.1 points).

Hachimura, who was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Wizards averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds on 46.6 shooting from the field. Hachimura led all rookies in rebounds per game and finished fifth in scoring among rookies on the season. He also led all rookies with 18 games of at least 10+ points and seven or more rebounds.

The other four members of All-Rookie first team are Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (Rookie of the Year), Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschall.

The other four members of the second team are Miami’s Tyler Herro, Toronto’s Terence Davis II, Chicago’s Coby White, and Charlotte’s P.J. Washington.