Central Washington Wildcats football
| Central Washington Wildcats | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| University | Central Washington University |
| Conference | Great Northwest Athletic Conference |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | Dennis Francois |
| Location | Ellensburg, Washington |
| Varsity teams | 12 |
| Football stadium | Tomlinson Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Nicholson Pavilion |
| Baseball stadium | CWU Baseball Field |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
| Colors | Crimson and Black |
| Website | www |
The Central Washington Wildcats (also CWU Wildcats) are the 12 varsity athletic teams that represent Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, Washington, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Wildcats compete as members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
In 2006, they moved to the North Central Conference, because the Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced it would discontinue its participation in football following the 2005 season. Then in 2008, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference reinstated football, and Central Washington rejoined the conference.
The football team shared an intense rivalry with Western Washington University until Western's football team was disbanded in 2009. Prior to the dissolution of Western football, the teams had been competing in a game called the "Battle in Seattle" taking place at Seattle's CenturyLink Field, although historically the matchup was called the "Cascade Cup" when held at the usual university venues. In 2009, Central Washington University posted a perfect 11-0 record, the only Division II team to post a clean slate in 2009 regular season. Central Washington then narrowly lost a playoff game to the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State, who then won the NCAA Division II championship.
The Wildcats won the Division 2 NAIA Football National Championship in 1995 with Jon Kitna at quarterback.
In 2008, Wildcat softball players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace helped carry injured opponent Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University around the bases after she hit her first-ever career home run and injured herself running around the bases. CWU lost the game, ending the Wildcats' season. The story received national attention and the trio appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, CBS, CNN and ESPN. They also won an ESPY award for Best Moment in Sports in 2008, were featured in Sports Illustrated, and are part of a national billboard campaign promoting sportsmanship by the Foundation for A Better Life.
...
Wikipedia