Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik and I signed the wall last month as part of a pledge to live by these core values. One by one, each of our student-athletes and coaches has done the same. The wall will stand as a symbol for generations of Vandals, encouraging that same work ethic and standard of excellence we have seen for 130 years. Sports may not have been played on the field, court or in the pool over much of the past eight months, but Vandal student-athletes have shown they can compete just the same when it comes to our athletic values. Away from the spotlight, this program even posted its 13th straight semester with a combined GPA over 3.0 last spring. Games, competitions and tournaments are returning to Moscow this winter, ever so slowly. The Vandal Swim and Dive Team has already shown its tenacity through that return. Basketball is just around the corner, and rare spring football, soccer and volleyball seasons are a few short months away. While our games are beginning without spectators due to pandemic restrictions, we can still celebrate them just the same. I know I am excited to cheer on the Vandals and am glad we have the opportunity to do so with all games streamed live on the PlutoTV App Channel 1060 or Pluto.TV/live-tv. These Vandal student-athletes have shown integrity and respect for the game thatâs continued to stand out no matter the venue. Whether in the Kibbie Dome, Memorial Gym, Dan OâBrien Track and Field Complex, golf course, tennis court, pool â and eventually the mass-timber landmark ICCU Arena â our shared values will continue to be on proud display. |