scoopricklund

Mixed reviews on the “Big House”

OK, I’ve done a stint in the Big House. Not time in prison, thankfully, but about five hours in the “Big House” that is Michigan Stadium. I was overwhelmed by the size of the stadium. You could get lost here. I was underwhelmed by the setting and architecture. It’s basically just a big concrete bowl.Continue reading “Mixed reviews on the “Big House””

Embracing “Mother Pullman”

I don’t know why it took me so long. I was born in Washington, have lived all but nine of my 70-plus years in this state, yet until recently had never set foot on the campus of Washington State University in Pullman. But there we were, in quaint Martin Stadium, surrounded by Cougar fans, onContinue reading “Embracing “Mother Pullman””

BOYS IN THE BOAT

The Three Amigos. The Three Vikings. Three Brothers From Different Mothers. Or, as Bob Swenson suggested, “Oly, Lund and Swen.” Whatever the moniker, the three of us have shared many journeys over the years. It’s a bond built on family and friendship. Kent Oldenburger is my brother-in-law. Bob was a groomsman in Vicki and myContinue reading “BOYS IN THE BOAT”

Summer at the lake

Poem by Bob Swenson It’s another quiet morningFog tiptoes over the waterThe surface is a mirror.Inverted hillsides, clear as day. The coffee’s readyThere’s half & half and sugar.The toaster warms the breadThere’s jam in the fridge. We discuss the plans for the dayAnd wade through the headlines.The world’s a mess.What time is the game? IContinue reading “Summer at the lake”

Remembering mom

My mom was “Wonder Woman” long before Lynda Carter assumed that title. She did all the laundry, always had home-cooked meals on the table, kept an immaculate house, tended to the garden and flower beds, sang in the choir at church, and had my grandparents and other extended family or friends over for dinner manyContinue reading “Remembering mom”

An initial tall task at UW, and some thoughts on Danny Sprinkle

Had to chance to meet UW basketball coach Danny Sprinkle on Saturday at an annual gathering of mostly way-past-their-prime basketball players, coaches and media-types. Sprinkle spoke to the 70th meeting of the “Northwest Basketball Legends” at the Washington Athletic Club, bringing renewed hope and optimism to a program that hasn’t sniffed the NCAA Tournament sinceContinue reading “An initial tall task at UW, and some thoughts on Danny Sprinkle”

The pursuit of radical generosity

I turned 70 in November. It was a time for celebration while surrounded by family in Arizona. It was also a time for reflection. Let’s face it, I’m old. On the surface “my work is done” and I’m “over the hill.” My career is in the rear-view mirror. I like to tell people that whenContinue reading “The pursuit of radical generosity”

A memorable, heart-warming day in America’s Heartland

“Thanks for coming,” said an Iowa fan, as Vicki and I walked out of Kinnick Stadium near the end of Iowa’s 40-16 dismantling of Washington on Saturday. “I hope our fans here treated you well.” They certainly did. Better than the visiting team was treated, for sure. We came a long way to watch theContinue reading “A memorable, heart-warming day in America’s Heartland”

Our shared passion for story presentation: Remembering the late, great Blaine Newnham

Any baseball player will tell you they remember the day they were called up to the big leagues. I certainly remember a similar life-changing moment on a journalism scale, when in November 1984 I learned I was going from a small-town newspaper in Roseburg, Oregon to The Seattle Times. I probably skipped at least oneContinue reading “Our shared passion for story presentation: Remembering the late, great Blaine Newnham”

Apple Cup apathy: Non-conference vibe takes a bite out of the rivalry

The 2024 Apple Cup by all accounts appeared to be one of the more anticipated matchups of the season. The rivalry game between Washington and Washington State that at one point was in danger of being another realignment casualty, was salvaged among the scraps from the wrecking ball that destroyed the Pac-12, sending UW toContinue reading “Apple Cup apathy: Non-conference vibe takes a bite out of the rivalry”