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”
Author Archives: scoopricklund
Hoosier Hysteria
Never daunted, we cannot falter In the battle, we’re tried and true Indiana, our Indiana Indiana we’re all for you! I-U! BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Most of the 16,000-plus fans were clearly all for Indiana on a crisp, sunny Sunday afternoon here in the heart of the Hoosier State. That would include myself, admittedly a collegeContinue reading “Hoosier Hysteria”
A cold, devastating blow on the eve of Christmas Eve
On a dark, frigid afternoon in the Pacific Northwest just two days before Christmas, the email from The Seattle Times that popped up on my phone took my breath away. “Passing along sad news from Beth,” wrote Angela Lo, my former colleague, referencing the Metro editor working the news desk that day. ”Bill Kossen diedContinue reading “A cold, devastating blow on the eve of Christmas Eve”
A spectacular day at USC
What a day in LA LA land. The University of Southern California has a rich football tradition. All that history, SC’s game-day traditions and the pageantry of the great game of college football were on full display on a beautiful, sunny day in Los Angeles. We flew into Santa Ana on Friday, and made theContinue reading “A spectacular day at USC”
I brainwashed her, and I’m truly sorry … sort of
Vicki teaches a Bible study on Friday mornings. Last week, she told her group she couldn’t be there tomorrow because she’ d be in California. “Oh, you’re going to see your sister?” one of the women asks Vicki, who grew up in California and two of her sisters still live there. “No, we’re going toContinue reading “I brainwashed her, and I’m truly sorry … sort of”
Hiking (not so) Easy Pass, step by step
EASY PASS – Before we get started, let’s just make one thing clear: There’s nothing “easy” about the hike to Easy Pass. Sure, the clearly-marked sign off Highway 20 is easy to spot. The trailhead, unlike many starting points for hikes, is easily accessible, just a short, paved road from the highway. After that?Continue reading “Hiking (not so) Easy Pass, step by step”
The tall and short of it
I entered the Land of the Giants recently – literally and figuratively. It was the 68th gathering of the Northwest Basketball Legends in Seattle. Seven-foot-1 Spencer Hawes was there. His uncle, Steve Hawes, a mere 6-foot-10, received a Merit of Excellence award at the banquet. Steve was an All-American at the UW and also playedContinue reading “The tall and short of it”
It’s time for me to get Kraken
They said playoff hockey will hook you. Consider me hooked. I tried to be disinterested. But how can you not be caught up in this team and this game of skill played at lightning speed? I credit my Chicago-raised, son-in-law, Karl, for sparking our interest in hockey. Karl is a big Chicago Blackhawks fan andContinue reading “It’s time for me to get Kraken”
I have a shallow interest in the Kraken’s deep dive into the postseason
The Seattle Kraken are in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Whoop-dee-freakin-doo. Please excuse my sarcasm. I’m trying – I really am – to embrace hockey. I should be over the moon that the Kraken, in just their second season in the NHL, are in the postseason. I may watch tonight’s Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche.Continue reading “I have a shallow interest in the Kraken’s deep dive into the postseason”
Duel in the Desert
I am a huge Washington Husky fan. That’s not a surprise to anyone. I can thank my dear dad for that. It’s in my DNA. My earliest childhood memories of Saturday afternoons in the fall were listening to Husky football on the radio with my dad, watching the rare televised game together (on black-and-white TV),Continue reading “Duel in the Desert”
The Inside Scoop 