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Spring 2021 Tyee Difference

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THE TYEE DIFFERENCE YOUR SUPPORT THEIR FUTURE OUR HUSKIES SPRING 2021 A STELLAR SPRING SPORT SEASON PAGES 6 7 COMMITTING TO DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION PAGES 2 3 YOU KEPT YOUR HUSKIES SAFE A LIFE WELLREMEMBERED PAGE 8 PAGES 10 11

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DEI ESSENTIAL TO OUR MISSION Sport is the great unifier It brings together people from many different backgrounds belief systems races social experiences and more Teams thrive when their members respect and support each other whoever they may be as individuals That is the heart and soul of who we are For Washington Athletics a commitment to diversity equity and inclusion DEI is not new It is grounded in our very reason to exist to help student athletes become their best selves in all aspects of their lives The creation of a new position to lead our DEI work see the article on page 3 represents a determination to be even more intentional focused and successful in achieving that mission for every single student athlete You our loyal Tyee Club members are equally committed to the holistic development of Husky student athletes Your unwavering support makes us even more determined to ensure that every young person entrusted to our care feels accepted supported and uplifted during their time at the UW and for years to come We are thrilled to welcome Sheridan Blanford to our UW family to help lead these efforts We understand that formalizing this role is just one step among many we must make to work toward a more equitable and inclusive future for our Department our University and our community With the incredible support of Husky Nation we are determined to achieve a culture that uplifts everyone we serve THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Published by the University of Washington Tyee Club VOLUME 7 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2021 UW Tyee Club members support the academic and athletic experiences of more than 650 University of Washington studentathletes in 22 men s and women s sports Your gifts account for nearly 25 percent of the funding we need to recruit the most sought after student athletes hire the best coaches develop championship teams and build facilities that make the fan experience second to none You make all the difference WRITING Teresa Moore GRAPHIC DESIGN DavidOwenHastings com UW TYEE CLUB Graves Hall Box 354070 Seattle WA 98195 4070 tyeeclub uw edu 206 543 2234 uwtyeeclub org Go Dawgs Jennifer Cohen Director of Athletics ON THE COVER Washington Volleyball celebrates a win that took them to the NCAA Final Four Congrats Huskies 2 T HE T Y E E DI FFERENC E S PR I N G 2021

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ADVANCING DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION TO BENEFIT EVERYONE IN HUSKY ATHLETICS Sheridan Blanchard played college basketball in Minnesota before earning a Master s of Education in Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Washington in 2016 She returns to helm our diversity equity and inclusion DEI efforts after leading DEI at the University of Wisconsin How do you define DEI Diversity is about identity gender race nationality sexual orientation and all the diverse things that make us human It s factors that differentiate us Equity makes sure that the structure is in place to ensure everyone has the unique resources they need to thrive It might be equal to give every Husky Football player size 14 shoes but it wouldn t be equitable because that isn t the size that everyone needs It s about ensuring that everyone has access to resources opportunities and environments that they need to succeed Inclusion brings it all together It reflects a culture where all people feel valued heard respected and that they belong DEI strives to ensure that all people no matter what they believe in or look like where they re from who they love how much money they have and what their unique experiences and challenges may be can come to Washington Athletics and succeed by just being them How are you approaching your work I m on a listening tour to understand the culture of Husky Athletics and how people from inside and outside of the department are experiencing Washington what we re succeeding in and where we have room to grow From there we will ensure that the policies programs procedures and initiatives we create or enhance establish an environment where everyone who engages with Washington Athletics can succeed The funding to create this position was seeded by generous donations from Head Coaches Jimmy Lake and Mike Hopkins What do you feel that says about the commitment to DEI To have some of the most influential and visible leaders in the Athletic Department commit to the creation of this position shows that this work is essential It creates an incredible sense of urgency to make sure this is a priority Why did you choose to return to the UW for this position The UW was a part of my journey in discovering who I am and how I want to impact the world In addition to my experiences education and passion for this role I live this It s not just something I chose to do as a profession My mother is white and my father is Black which makes me the walking breathing definition of inclusion My values align with culture at Washington never wanting to be stagnant and wanting to grow to have monumental impact U WT YEECLU B O RG 3

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SIX YEARS OF UPS AND DOWNS PREPARE UW SOFTBALL PLAYER FOR LIFE CATCHER MORGANNE FLORES EXCELS AS A LEADER ON THE FIELD AND OFF Morganne s stellar career behind the plate hasn t been an easy journey Early in 2018 she tore her ACL and was forced to sit out the entire season which culminated with Washington earning a berth in the World Series final For someone who admits she was awful at most sports as a kid Morganne Flores certainly has boasted impressive accolades in her six years with Washington Softball All Region All Pac 12 All American and the first Husky ever to win the Johnny Bench Award as the best catcher in the nation Now let s hope she adds World Champion to that list As this issue of The Tyee Difference went to press the 5 ranked Huskies were 35 9 overall 13 4 in the Pac 12 and driving toward the Women s College World Series in May Morganne the team s most seasoned leader credits their success to the love we have for each other and a common appreciation for being together again Each game we re growing together and going in a positive direction 4 T HE T Y E E DI FFERENC E S PR I N G 2021 I had to figure out how I could contribute even if I wasn t on the field how I could still be valuable and give to my teammates she reflects Now I m really grateful that injury happened I feel I m a better player for having gone through that learning year Head Coach Heather Tarr calls Morganne a quiet humble young woman who leads by example After six years on the team she continues to grow and improve every day With her work ethic and perseverance she is an outstanding model to our younger players After earning a bachelor s degree in environmental studies in 2019 Morganne returned this season as a sixth year super senior to continue her master s degree studies in higher education leadership Then she found herself struggling with anxiety and depression I was able to get help thanks to the great resources we have here she explains I wouldn t have been able to overcome it without the UW She thanks Tyee donors for funding services like mental health counseling and for all the life changing opportunities that truly set us up for great lives SOFTBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER GROUNDBREAKING Building for the future Softball breaks ground on state of the art 5 500 square foot performance center the first project for a women s sport to be fully funded by donors

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RISK SURVIVAL AND TRIUMPH ANCHOR THREE GENERATIONS OF THE ULOFOSHIO FAMILY HUSKY LINEBACKER S HERITAGE INSPIRES HIS FUTURE Grandma was always there for Eddie Ulofoshio A calm presence in his life in Alaska making his favorite egusi soup with Nigerian spices chicken and vegetables It wasn t until after she passed away when Eddie was a teenager that he learned the mysterious story of her life of sacrifice I really feel that I m lucky to be alive says the standout redshirt junior linebacker for Husky Football I didn t know until she died the magnitude of her sacrifices After losing two children to starvation during a period of captivity in her war torn native country Grandma struggled to support her family by selling food in local Nigerian markets Slowly she saved enough money to send Eddie s father and uncle to America to seek out better lives She eventually joined them in Alaska The day my grandmother passed away was the day I grew up states Eddie who traveled with his family to Grandma s funeral At her village in Nigeria trumpets were playing and the whole community turned out to celebrate the gigantic impact she had on so many people I was 15 years old and I felt that all the sacrifices she made were so I could be here I decided I wouldn t waste the opportunity she gave me His dad became an accountant his mother also from Nigeria a psychologist After settling in Alaska the family moved to Las Vegas where Eddie the second of five sons played football at a championshipwinning high school A few small colleges offered him scholarships but I didn t like the academic future I faced at those schools So he decided to go to Washington to earn a world class education even though it was risky to try to join the Huskies as a walk on I felt like I could prove to people that I wanted to play and could make an impact on the team Eddie says And he did On the very first play of his Washington career he forced a fumble on a kickoff The Huskies recovered and scored a touchdown His inspiring play and team leadership over the following two years earned him a full scholarship With four brothers and after everything my parents and grandmother had gone through I wanted to give something back Eddie notes Telling my mom and dad that they didn t have to pay for my education was the best feeling ever Eddie is majoring in Public Health and intends to become a physician My purpose is to help low income communities and poverty stricken countries improve their health standards so children can grow up and improve the health of tomorrow s world Eddie wrote in his college essay Eddie s grandma would be proud And so is every fan in Husky nation U WT YEECLU B O RG 5

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ONE SEASON 19 SPORTS When COVID 19 forced the postponement of fall sports like Soccer and Volleyball we were determined to give every student athlete the opportunity to compete That meant that 19 of Washington s 22 sports teams played this spring to the delight of every Husky player coach and fan While the logistics of fielding so many studentathletes and teams were challenging the results were worth it as the joyful faces on these two pages prove Most seasons were still underway when this issue of The Tyee Difference went to press Be sure to check out GoHuskies com for the latest news on your favorite teams 6 T HE T Y E E DI FFERENC E S PR I N G 2021

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COUNTLESS THRILLS A CLASSY PERFORMANCE HUSKIES SCORE IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Washington student athletes worked just as hard in the classroom as they did in training and competition during the winter quarter With access to top notch academic services funded by your generous donations the Huskies made us very proud 21 of 22 teams earned a 3 0 GPA or higher 8 out of 10 Huskies earned a 3 0 GPA or better 204 Huskies made the Dean s List U WT YEECLU B O RG 7

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Generous donations to The Huskies All In Fund totaling more than 18 5 million as this magazine went to print have enabled us to go the extra mile to keep our student athletes safe Thank you to everyone who donated Make your gift at HuskiesAllIn org PANDEMIC SPURS UNPRECEDENTED STEPS TO HELP PROTECT STUDENT ATHLETES Strolling by Husky Stadium late this past summer the sounds of hip hop music masked the grunts and groans of tough workouts The weight room had moved outdoors safely spacing out equipment as one precaution among many to prevent the spread of COVID 19 Fast forward to spring 2021 when coronavirus prevention measures have become even better informed by science and the ultimate goal remains the same take every possible step to ensure the health and safety of student athletes while continuing to provide them with an outstanding Husky experience Our understanding of how to operate Pac 12 Athletic Departments during this pandemic improves every day explains Dr Kimberly Harmon UW Football s head physician and part of the NCAA s COVID 19 policy making team We ve always been optimistic that we could balance the desire for student athletes to participate in their sports with the importance of protecting them coaches and staff Department colleagues describe the work of the UW medical staff and athletic trainers as heroic the intensified cleaning efforts across the huge athletic campus adaptations to training spaces and facilities protocols for frequent testing and contact tracing specific guidelines for high and low risk sports and so much more Kimberly demurs noting that everyone in Husky Athletics including student athletes who have given up social interactions and other privileges to stay safe and compete have stepped up to do their part Alliances with other organizations also have been essential 8 T HE T Y E E DI FFERENC E S PR I N G 2021 We are so fortunate to have some of the world s best physicians at our fingertips right here at the stadium where the UW Sports Medicine Center is located and at the nearby hospital Kimberly says lauding other partnerships with government the NCAA and Pac 12 We re in this together Studentathletes are all part of the efforts to create a healthy productive environment They give us energy to be our best selves to serve them

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THIS IS WHO WE ARE AT WASHINGTON PAYING IT FORWARD BENEFITS STUDENT ATHLETES AND THE FORMER HUSKY SWIMMER WHO MENTORS THEM If you re one of the fortunate Washington student athletes who earn an internship in Cat Clark s law office you learn about a lot more than the law Persistence Strategic thinking Current affairs Social skills Leadership And how to be a Husky who gives back Going to the University of Washington was the root decision of my life From that so many opportunities have bloomed says Cat a member of the Big W Club for student athlete letter winners I consider it a real privilege to give back This is who we are at Washington Cat was a scholarship swimmer at the UW in the 1980s earning a degree in history and political science before going to law school at Gonzaga Husky Football alumni including Will Dissly now with the Seattle Seahawks Trey Adams Buffalo Bills Nick Harris Cleveland Browns and John Turner studying at Tulane Law School all secured paid summer internships with Cat For 20 hours a week her studentathlete interns conduct legal research analyze contracts and accompany Cat to court They also read and discuss books like Sun Tzu s The Art of War and Malcolm Gladwell s Outliers I could tell she cared so much about all the interns before me says Husky tight end and fifth year senior Cade Otton She really invested in getting to know me developing skills like being involved in the news of the day updating Excel sheets learning the law She taught me to look at things beyond the surface to delve deeper into relationships with my teammates and understanding how to apply what I learn to my life As much as her interns learn from her Cat says she benefits too It s a two way street Being around these bright accomplished young people keeps me young she explains It provides me with an ongoing Husky Athlete experience I m still part of this community Cat s key lesson learned from her interns and mentees Don t discount young people They are smart committed and not the stereotypes you think they might be They have plenty to share and teach us U WT YEECLU B O RG 9

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A LIFE WELL REMEMBERED HOW A COLD WAR SPY HIS CHOCOLATE SHOE BRIDE AND COUNTLESS UW MOMENTS CREATED A LEGACY There are so many wonderful memories As high school sweethearts Mary Koss and Bill Branom sat on the front porch of her Wallingford home listening to Washington Football games on the radio while cheers from Husky Stadium echoed in the distance Later at the UW there was the post game date to Burgermaster where a milkshake spilled onto Mary s already chilly feet forever christening the restaurant the chocolate shoe place in their lifetime of remembrances The births of their four children created a whole family of devoted Husky fans even the two kids who went to Stanford Oh and there were also Bill s adventures as a Cold War spy in Germany putting to good use his UW bachelor s and master s degrees in Germanics also Mary s major When the couple returned to Seattle Bill pursued his Ph D at the UW and became a successful businessman teacher and volunteer One of his passions was tutoring Husky student athletes Their memorable life together ended with Bill s passing in 2010 Soon after Mary decided to create new memories with one goal in mind to honor the precious memory of her husband Her first step was to join the Peace Corps spending 2011 to 2013 teaching English in the former Soviet Union nation of Azerbaijan Bill had initially intended to use his multiple degrees from UW to go into overseas foreign service with the State Department Mary explains That never happened But in some way my service in the Peace Corps seemed to me to help fulfill that dream on his behalf Next she chose to forever memorialize Bill by supporting the education of student athletes She established the William W Bill and Mary Branom Fund for Student Academic Support and Success to help them do wonderful things with their lives to become the new scientists and new leaders for future generations Part of the enticement was that it would live in perpetuity It wasn t a one time donation but something that would always be there to grow for me to invest in and for my children friends and family to support says Mary 10 T HE T Y E E DI FFERENC E S PR I N G 2021

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One more act of generosity would honor Bill in two ways supporting Husky Athletics while helping to care for his beloved wife until the end of her days Mary set up a charitable gift annuity which pays her a fixed income for life As a retired person with limited reliable income this was a way to offer myself some ongoing financial security and at the same time make a charitable contribution to something that is important to me she notes It s a win win Bill s been gone for more than a decade now Still the memories he helped to create live on in Mary her children and grandchildren and the University of Washington To do things in another s memory helps keep their spirit alive and he certainly would be pleased to be helping UW in any way possible Mary concludes CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES INCOME FOR YOU SUPPORT FOR THE HUSKIES Washington fans who own property stocks and bonds or certain other assets can secure a lifetime of guaranteed income by establishing a charitable gift annuity The concept is simple You agree to donate your asset s to Husky Athletics In exchange the UW provides you with a fixed annual payout for life In addition you ll get an immediate charitable income tax deduction You may receive other tax benefits as well consult your tax professional for detailed information When you pass away the remaining principal of your initial gift supports the Athletic Department or specific programs you re passionate about like Mary s support for student athlete academic services To learn more contact the Tyee Office at 206 543 2234 or tyeeclub uw edu U WT YEECLU B O RG 11

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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Box 354070 Seattle WA 98195 4070 tyeeclub uw edu 206 543 2234 uwtyeeclub org ONE DAY ONE TEAM BIG IMPACT You did it You made our second annual Husky Giving Day on April 8 the biggest and best yet raising more than 1 2 million to support 650 student athletes and all 22 Washington teams and programs THANK YOU to every one of the 1 300 donors who generously contributed Husky Giving Day donors could choose to honor specific teams or programs such as band or cheer and dance with their gifts Congrats to the Husky Marching Band for motivating the largest number of donors 304 for our second Husky Giving Day Softball with 259 donors and Rowing with 210 donors were close behind