Alumni, students and fans kick off first home game Sept. 17

This weekend’s home football match-up against the University of Idaho will feature the return of the second annual “Cougar First Down Friday,” a collaborative event put on with the City of Pullman. <br><br>Alumni, students and fans of all ages are invited to help kick off the first Martin Stadium home game Friday evening in Pullman with a food fair, kid’s activities, street dance, local arts and crafts, sales of WSU memorabilia and much more – including a pep rally featuring Coach Bill Doba, the Cougar football team, and the Cougar Marching Band. <br><br>While on campus this weekend, fans also can take in a world-class art exhibit featuring the work of internationally renowned artist Jim Dine and a variety of sculpture created by Dine and other artists who work with the Walla Walla Foundry. <br><br>The indoor and outdoor exhibitions comprise the most ambitious display of artworks in the history of WSU. A selection of works by Dine is on display in the museum gallery, while works by him and other internationally respected artists, all of whom work with the Walla Walla Foundry, also are on display around the campus. <br><br>As in previous years, all home game weekends also will include Cougar Conversations, an opportunity to explore many of today’s hottest topics through free classes taught by WSU’s world-class faculty. <br><br>On Saturday, a class at 3:30 p.m. at the WSU Museum of Art will feature Museum Director Chris Bruce talking about the Jim Dine Sculpture exhibit. At the same time, a class featuring Assistant Professor Lynne Nelson in Smith Center 202 will provide information on grizzly bear hibernation. Those classes will be followed by a 4:30 p.m. class at Smith Center 219
featuring Professor James Krueger discussing Sleep and Performance.