Spring 2024 Tyee Difference : simplebooklet.com

THE TYEE DIFFERENCEPublished by the University of Washington Tyee ClubVOLUME 10, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2024UW Tyee Club members support the academic and athletic experi-ences of more than 650 University of Washington student-athletes in 22 men’s and women’s sports. Your gifts account for nearly 25% 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 dierence.WRITINGTeresa MooreGRAPHIC DESIGNDavidOwenHastings.comUW TYEE CLUBGraves Hall Box 354070 Seattle WA 98195-4070tyeeclub@uw.edu206.543.2234 uwtyeeclub.org2 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024Yes, Washington’s extraordinary, and we’re ready to go even BIGGERA globally respected educational and research institution with a rich history in intercollegiate athletics, Washington is extraordinary. And there’s no better place to be now and in the future than right here on Montlake.I admit, I didn’t exactly trumpet those sentiments during my eight years at rival Washington State! Still, I always knew that Washington was someplace special. Today, I’m humbled to join the Huskies as we celebrate a remarkable nal season in the Pac-12 and look ahead to competing in the Big Ten. And I’m more than ready to lend my three decades of athletic leadership experience to making us champions on a larger stage.Stability isn’t a word often used in today’s landscape of college sports. NIL, the transfer portal, the rise of mega conferences, our ve-year nancial transition into the Big Ten, are dicult realities. But despite the rapid and ongoing changes, we’re condent we can meet every challenge. Why? Because you are also extraordinary. Tyee Club members like you put their love for the Huskies into action. Your ongoing support and generosity continue to prove that Washington can succeed anywhere, any way.We’re setting big goals. As Athletic Director, I’m committed to focusing every strategy and resource on creating the best environment in the nation for student-athletes to excel in their sports, in their studies and in their lives. We have great coaches and sta members, stalwart support from the University, and the most loyal and dedicated donors anywhere.The formal move takes place at the start of the next school year, but in my mind, Washington is already a Big Ten institution. We’ve always gone BIG in every way, from developing young men and women of intellect and character, to competing for national championships for 100+ years. With you steadfastly by our side, we’re ready to build Husky Athletics to compete at the highest levels for years to come.Go Dawgs!Pat Chun Director of Athletics

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UWTYEECLUB.ORG | 3CONVERSATION WITH COACHJedd Fisch takes the helm of Washington Football as the Huskies enter a new era in the Big Ten Conferencecalled The Greatest Setting in College Football for nothing. It’s not just the stadium, not just the lake. It’s the people. Washington’s donors are incredible.You’ve been described as a great recruiter. What is your recruiting philosophy? We focus on our commitment to their wellbeing and the fact that everything we do is to help them get better and enhance their opportunities.What is the most important thing for us to know about you, not as a coach but as a person? My wife, Amber, and I care about every player like they’re our son. She’s been the team mom at every college stop. Our commitment to them is way beyond football. Our responsibility is to help them bridge the gap from age 18 to 23 so we emphasize the academic, community and social aspects of football as well as the athletic aspects. We have three daughters: Zaylee who is studying to be a paralegal; Ashlee, who’s a high school freshman and a tennis player; and Kendall, who’s 12 and a swimmer.Within 10 days of the National Championship game, Washington recruited you from Arizona and you held your rst team meeting. What was your critical message to them?You don’t have to trust me now, but you do have to allow me to earn your trust. It had been an emotional roller coaster for all of us, yet we were all looking forward to new opportunities. I asked them to be patient. And now, it’s all about building relationships. I couldn’t be happier with the team we’re putting together.Why should Husky fans be excited about you?My ultimate goal is to sustain success year in and year out at Washington, not to shy away from high expectations but to embrace them. I’ve invested so much time and energy into my career to have an opportunity like this. I won’t take it for granted.Explain why the move to the Big Ten is such an important opportunity for Washington. Being in the Big Ten is a game changer. The GO BIG! philosophy is real. We have 22 incredible programs that are capable of winning championships and sustaining success. When you’re playing teams like Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State … it’s like the NFL where every week is a battle. College football is evolving and the Big Ten and the SEC are where it’s at if you want stability and the chance to play on an incredible national stage.What role do donors play in that opportunity? You are critical to every aspect of our success, on the eld and o. Whether you’re giving student-athletes NIL opportunities or investing in things like nutrition, facilities or day-to-day operations, you’re making a dierence in every single game and in these young men’s lives after football. Washington isn’t

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4 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024WHAT A RIDE!WASHINGTON FOOTBALL MAKES US PROUD ON THE NATIONAL STAGEPurple reigned for 14 consecutive games this season (21 straight wins counting back to 2022-23), giving Husky Nation endless thrills — oh, those down-to-the-wire nishes! — and amazing memories. At home and across the country, Husky fans packed stadiums and provided emotional send-os to the team.From the Pac-12 Championship title to two key wins against rival Oregon, Washington headed to the biggest show in college football after a CFP Seminal victory over Texas in the Sugar Bowl. While the perfect season fell just out of grasp with a 34-13 loss in the CFP National Championship to No. 1-ranked Michigan, nothing could damper Husky Nation’s deep appreciation and pride for what this team accomplished.The 2023 season rewrote the Huskies’ record book for most wins in a single season, ending the nal game of the Pac-12 era with a bid for the program’s rst National Championship since 1991. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. came in second in balloting for the Heisman Trophy — college football’s highest player honor — the best nish ever for a Washington player. He also earned the coveted Maxwell Award as the best all-around football player in the nation. Many of his teammates also reaped accolades, including Rome Odunze who set the school record for most receiving yards in a single season and most 100-yard receiving games in a season. The Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best oensive line also went to the Huskies. Tyee Club members own a huge part of our student-athletes’ success — from the food to fuel them, to the physical and mental health services to keep them strong, to the scholarships that oer them an incredible education. You made this historic run possible. Thank you!

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6 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024Lamentations about the old days set aside, there’s a new reality in inter-collegiate athletics today. Judicial rulings and legislative actions give student-athletes the right to earn money for the use of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). And those NIL opportunities now drive recruiting and retention.“The University of Washington benets from student-athletes’ hard work and extraordinary performances, in the Athletic Department and as an institution. NIL gives student-athletes a wonderful opportunity to be involved with organizations they care about,” explains Shannon Kelly, Deputy Athletic Director for Revenue Generation.Their packed schedules make it impossible for student-athletes to work part-time like other students to pay for expenses not covered by their scholarships. Shannon says NIL allows them “to use their platforms to serve their communities, make some money, build their brands, and learn real world skills to help launch their lives after college.”Enter Montlake Futures, a nonprot organization established by community leaders to ensure that NIL operates in the best interests of student-athletes. By partnering with other charitable institutions such as Seattle Children’s, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Seattle Humane Society, Montlake Futures matches causes student-athletes care about with paid service opportunities.For example, student-athletes led more than 500 kids in drills as part of a Boys and Girls Clubs eld day at Husky Stadium. Make a Wish raised $20,000 by auctioning o a personal appearance by UW Football players. Men’s Basketball players helped the American Heart Foundation promote the importance of healthy eating. It’s a win-win-win for the charities, the student-athletes, and the community.In addition to earning money, student-athletes learn how to To learn more about Montlake Futures and to donate, go to: MontlakeFutures.comMontlake Futures is an independent 501(c)(3) non-prot organization that works directly with Husky student-athletes to leverage their Name, Image, and Likeness for positive community impact. While a proud sponsor of UW Athletics, Montlake Futures is not a University of Washington entity. Any gifts or contributions made to Montlake Futures do not qualify for Tyee Club member benets or priority points, cumulative UW giving recognition, or recognition groups such as The President’s Circle. analyze and negotiate contracts, how to pay taxes, and how to be accountable in what might be their rst job-like experiences.Funding for NIL comes from tax-deductible donations from Husky fans who understand the importance of NIL to recruiting top scholar athletes.“Do you like to win? That’s the question I ask when I talk to people about donating to Montlake Futures,” says Executive Director Andrew Minear. “We’ve made great strides in building our NIL collective. But with the move to the Big Ten, we need more community investment to compete against schools that have elevated NIL to their top priority. Success in the Big Ten demands that we adapt to this new landscape.”THE UNDENIABLE IMPACTOF MONTLAKE FUTURESNIL OPPORTUNITIES FUEL RECRUITING AND RETENTION, WHILE HELPING STUDENT-ATHLETES PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

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UWTYEECLUB.ORG | 7MEET COACH SPRINKLE!NEW MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH BOASTS DEEP ROOTS WITH HUSKY ATHLETICSDanny Sprinkle has come full circle. The son of mid-’60s Husky defense back Bill Sprinkle, Danny grew up making the long drives from Helena, Montana, to Husky Stadium to watch games with his dad and best friend. Today, as the new Head Coach of Washington Men’s Basketball, the lauded leader says his Washington ties make this his dream job.“I know the tradi-tions here. I grew up in the Husky culture,” says the former Utah State and Montana State Head Coach, who turned around both teams in spectacular fashion before coming to the UW. “I was too young to really appreciate that drive with Pops, but he gave me the vision to be an athlete and be a coach someday. I wanted to be like my dad. This is all I ever wanted to do.”The Montana State Hall of Fame basketball player and coach is determined and condent about building a winning culture at Washington by emphasizing three things: Discipline. Accountability. Ownership.“Kids want discipline as long as they know you love them,” explains the 24-year college coaching veteran. “We teach accountability by example and by making sure every player brings positive energy to a fun, competitive environment. And we know that you become a championship program when players take ownership and have the tools to help each other.”His success at Utah State wowed the collegiate sporting world. In just one season, he took the No. 20 Aggies to a 28-7 record, a conference championship, and an NCAA Tournament berth. He led Montana State to two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and has an overall 109-50 record in four years as a head coach.“We’ve won by recruiting high-character guys who t how we want to operate, who want to represent the community, go to class, and be good citizens,” he says. “We are all privileged to play and coach this sport and we want them to appreciate that.”Basketball is his life, Coach Sprinkle states.“Every day, I wake up and feel the responsibility that Husky Nation has given me. I want to make you proud by doing things the right way and by respecting every donor’s investment in this team. I want you to know that these young men and this program are the most important things to me.”

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8 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024Drew Warford couldn’t sleep. He’d forget to eat. And he began having panic attacks, even on the golf course.“I was the only Washington kid on the team, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well. I felt I was letting people down,” recalls the lifelong Husky fan who grew up in Snoqualmie and whose dad also golfed at the UW. “I had so much social anxiety even going to practice or to work out in the gym. I got depressed. It was overwhelming.”At rst, Drew says, he’d tell himself: “Just get over it. You’re being soft. You can do this on your own.”Then, he saw a TV show where a character noted that the strongest people are the ones who know when to ask for help. He talked to his trainer who referred him to the Athletic Depart-ment’s mental health services.“I learned about the deeper level of science behind anxiety, why it happens and when it happens, so I could prepare when I’d know it was coming,” explains the senior commu-nications major. “Counseling has been awesome. It’s helped me 100 percent. I’ve progressed to the point where I can deal with it on my own, and I still see my therapist every three weeks or so.”Drew advocates therapy for student-athletes who are feeling pressured.“A lot of people are still embarrassed about it. I was too for a while. I felt like I was the only one going through this and that no one understood. But you’re not alone,” he encourages. “It’s normal to feel this way, especially being an athlete at a major university where TODAY’S GENERATION OF STUDENT-ATHLETES EMBRACE THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE OF SPORT

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UWTYEECLUB.ORG | 9You can support student-athlete mental health with a gift to The Competitive Edge Fund. Learn more and give at UWTyeeClub.org. there’s so much pressure on you. Having anxiety means you care about what you’re doing not just in your sport but in your community. I feel like you can turn it into a positive and that’s what I’ve done.”DEMAND SKYROCKETS AMONG TODAY’S YOUTHAccording to Mike Dillon, who oversees mental health services for the Athletic Department, seven out of 10 students entering college have already received some sort of counseling. He says the stigma around mental health — especially among athletes — has diminished for many reasons, including high-prole Olympians like swimmer Michael Phelps and gymnast Simone Biles who have publicly shared their experiences.“It is still hard to be vulnerable and say you need help,” Mike explains, “but this generation is generally more aware of mental health and more at ease talking about it.”When Mike started working for the Huskies in 2007, the Department oered no internal mental health services and relied on the University’s counseling center. Today, donors’ gifts have fueled incredible improvements. To meet the unique pressures and issues faced by student-athletes, the Department’s mental health team now includes three Ph.D. psychologists, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), and a carefully curated external network of diverse therapists.The team has created dierent pathways to make it easy for student-athletes to learn about and seek out help. They provide direct contacts to practitioners; have introduced a mental health and wellness app called AthleteTalk; hold mental health discus-sions and workshops with teams; and are bringing in trained interns and peer advocates to help deal with demand.They’ve also increased their emphasis on recruiting practitioners of color.“I bring relatability,” notes Keino Miller, PhD., a psychologist of color. “You don’t have to over explain some things. Even though we don’t come from the same types of neighborhoods or upbringings, there’s a familiar sense of the Black experience. We can be free and express ourselves.”Student-athletes seek help for a multitude of issues, Dr. Miller says: “Decreased motivation, a lack of school-life-sport balance, interpersonal conicts with family, struggles with perfectionism. We let them know that you’re allowed to make mistakes. You’re allowed to feel your feelings.”THERAPY CAN BE INTIMIDATING, BUT WORTHWHILE IN THE ENDVolleyball player Emoni Bush grew up on an Aboriginal reservation on Vancouver Island, a small and insular community where everyone considered each other family. Leaving for the UW “was a big deal for the tribe back home, almost unheard of, and denitely scary for me.”Emoni excelled on the court in her rst two seasons with the Huskies. Her junior year, a UW therapist who she had met the previous summer at the national Black Student-Athlete Summit spoke to the team about the Department’s mental health resources.“I’d just found out that I had to have shoulder surgery and would be medically red-shirted and miss my whole junior year,” says the real estate major. “I’m a pretty closed-o person, and I wasn’t sure about going to a therapist. That rst session, I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. But it was a lot easier than I anticipated.”She dealt with feeling guilty about “giving up” and letting her team down by choosing surgery rather than risking playing through the injury.“After my surgery, I dealt with a lot of identity issues,” she says. “I’ve never not had a sport or something to do for my entire life. I did not know what to do with myself and my time. Therapy helped me gure myself out, who I am without volleyball.”She encourages other student-athletes “to take that leap” into counseling.“Give it a try and you’ll be hooked,” Emoni states. “You’ll see how benecial it is. You’ll feel like a weight has been lifted o your shoulders.”

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10 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024INVESTMENT IN STUDENT-ATHLETES PAYS LIFELONG RETURNS FOR DEWAR FAMILYDoug and Jan Dewar know a lot about the value of a smart investment, whether it’s in real estate or in the lives of student-athletes. Put your money into something that can grow, stay in it for the distance, and build a good life with your returns.That wise strategy has not only paid o for the Dewars but for distance runner Sophie O’Sullivan, who benets from an endowed scholarship funded by the couple.“When you invest in an endowment, Husky Athletics matches you with the students who receive the scholarships,” explains Doug. “Supporting specic athletes gives you a lot more buy-in. It gives us someone to root for. And it’s nice to see your money going to something worthwhile while we’re promoting the next generation.”Sophie, a world-class Track & Field/Cross Country runner, appreciates her frequent email exchanges with Doug and Jan. While the Dewars live in Arizona when she’s competing, they always follow Sophie’s successes on TV or online. They’ve also met up with Sophie at other sporting and donor events.“The Dewars are lovely. It really means a lot that they reach out to me and want to support me,” says Sophie, a senior journalism major who has been matched with the Dewars since her freshman year.The Dewars grew up as Washington fans and met at the University in 1967, the rst in their families to graduate from college. The couple bought Football season tickets two years after they married, raised sons Mark and Scott, began investing in real estate, and soon started giving back to their alma mater.They began by improving their seats at Husky Stadium and directing their seat-related gift to Track & Field/Cross Country since Mark had run track at Western Washington. When they moved up to the Don James Center, their gift increased accordingly. But it still wasn’t enough. “At that point in time, we could aord to do more,” says Jan. “I believe a college education is very important, and we both agreed that philanthropy is always good. So, we started talking about an endowment.”“An endowment is like buying real estate and having a building that lasts,” Doug adds. “It’s fun to see it grow — it’s already worth much more than we put into it — and it’s good to know that it will fund scholarships forever.”Today, the family endows two scholarships, including one supporting a Football student-athlete.Sophie, who holds dual Australian and Irish citizenship and will compete for Ireland in this summer’s Olympic Games, says she’s grateful: “My scholarship makes everything possible.”

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UWTYEECLUB.ORG | 11THE MULTIGENERATIONAL IMPACT OF DR. BRAD MCCDAVIDTo donate in honor of Dr. McDavid, visit: GoHuskies.com/ BradEndowment More than 6,000 student musicians spanning two generations marched their ways into the hearts of Husky Nation during the three-decade tenure of Dr. Brad McDavid. As the internationally recognized conductor retires, he leaves an unparalleled legacy as only the fourth director in the Husky Marching Band’s 94-year history.Brad’s remarkable inuence will be forever commemorated with the Husky Marching Band Endowed Fund in Honor of Dr. Brad McDavid, providing a perpetual source of funding to educate student musicians.“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege,” Brad says emotionally. “I hope every student will remember being part of the loyal Band family and all the great musical, social and cultural experiences they enjoyed. I also hope their time with us heightened their appreciation of the arts in general and they have gone on to instill that in their families.”In his nal year with the Huskies, Brad taught 11 children of former Band members — one of the many incredible multigenerational memories he says he takes with him.He recalls the 220 halftime shows he directed, especially the annual Salute to Service honoring the military. He says he’s proud of maintaining the Husky Marching Band’s histories and traditions while incorporating new songs to enthrall every Husky fan.Brad’s inuence extends far beyond Montlake. He has led the Husky Marching Band on performance tours of Australia, China, Scandinavia, Japan, France, Ireland and Italy. He served as the head artistic director for the 1,700-member international Beijing Olympic Orchestra in 2008 and conducted a 7,300-member mass marching band in Osaka, Japan, in 2015.In retirement, he will join the Husky Alumni Marching Band. Brad and his wife Janie are looking forward to traveling, becoming rst-time tailgaters as UW Football season-ticket holders, and being able to enjoy his son Skylar’s nal year at Washington State as drum major and trombone player in the Cougar Marching Band.

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12 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024TODAY’S STUDENT-ATHLETES TACKLE CHALLENGING MAJORS AS THEY STRIVE TO BECOME TOMORROW’S LEADERSWhat does it take for student-athletes to succeed in their sports and their studies? Countless hours of dedication to training, workouts, practice, competition, class time, studying, test-taking and more — along with the donor-funded resources to balance it all. “There’s no such thing as an ‘easy major’ at the University of Washington,” states Kim Durand, who oversees academic services for student-athletes. “All our student-athletes pursue degrees at a world-class insti-tution with renowned national rankings — and that’s never easy.”The young men and women who aspire to master the most rigorous academics boost their skills and condence thanks to the support they receive.“A lot of student-athletes are attracted to the UW not only because of outstanding athletics but because of the reputation of our academics. We promise them and their families that we will help them pursue the majors they truly want,” Kim says. “We want every student-athlete to take their shot.”Here are three who took that shot and hit the bullseye.ATHENA BACHES, WOMEN’S ROWINGPhysics and AstronomyAs he tucked her into bed each night, Athena Baches’ father would point to the images of the solar system on her bedroom ceiling as his little girl recited the names of each planet. It was good preparation for a future that seems as limitless as the skies.When she graduates this spring with a double major in Physics and Astronomy (3.3 GPA), Athena will go on to work for Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security Division as an Optical Engineer focusing on electromagnetism. It’s a dream job for the Women’s Rowing coxswain, who fell in love with the sport as a Bellevue middle schooler.She knew it would be challenging to balance such dicult studies while putting in 20+ hours a week with Rowing. In addition to on-water practices, coxswains participate in team workouts and meetings and help care for equipment and other boathouse tasks.“Rowing and school are a lot to manage, so I’ve taken advantage of all the resources here and they’ve been tremendously helpful,” Athena notes.Her freshman year, Athena’s academic advisor in Husky Athletics mapped out all four years of the classes she’d need to take. Her tutor was critical in helping her understand concepts in her fast-moving physics courses. And a sports psychologist “helped me gure out how to organize my life.”Athena’s advisor also encouraged her to apply for a highly compet-itive NASA research internship, helping her craft her resume and application that resulted in two summers studying gravitational wave astrophysics. That internship led to other opportunities, such as working in the UW’s Space Propulsion and Advanced Concepts Engineering Lab.A Boeing hiring event cemented her future plans. Fittingly, she was in the car with her dad when she received the job-oer email.“Part of the reason I’ve been able to achieve all this is because of the supportive community here — my teammates, the coaches, advisors — everyone is always helping each other out,” she concludes.

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UWTYEECLUB.ORG | 13TODAY’S STUDENT-ATHLETES TACKLE CHALLENGING MAJORS AS THEY STRIVE TO BECOME TOMORROW’S LEADERSREAGAN PETERSON, BEACH VOLLEYBALLElectrical and Computer EngineeringReagan Peterson’s voice speeds up and her eyes brighten when she talks about science and technology.“I remember when I was little and I’d watch medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy and I’d wonder, why? Why does that happen? Why does that work?” recalls the sophomore Beach Volleyball player. “Science answers a lot of those questions and engineering makes those answers work.”Her pursuit of a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering includes a concentration in neuroscience and neurotechnology, mandating tough courses that demand tons of studying.“After I chose that major, I thought, ‘Am I insane? Why did I do this?’” she laughs. “But the academic support here has been great. I’ve never been one to reach out for help. But as a rst-year student, I needed it. My advisor helped me with tutoring, building schedules and staying motivated.”“This quarter has been a challenge,” she adds. “I’ve never really struggled with academics before, but a computer science course got me sidetracked and I needed help to improve my grade.”Reagan has also sought support for her lifelong social anxiety from the Athletic Department’s mental health practitioners.“I’m really thankful for the support systems that donors help fund because without that, things would be so overwhelming,” says the 3.3 GPA student-athlete. “Instead, I’m able to have fun and continue to believe in myself, that I can really do all this.”It’s no surprise that the inquisitive and dedicated Reagan nds important lessons in her sport as well as in her classes.“Our coaches emphasize a growth mindset,” she explains. “Your skills are not set in stone. I’ve learned there are people all around to help you develop your skills. It’s up to you to put forth the eort and make changes. Find the joy in whatever you’re doing, and you can and will get better.”MAX HEID, MEN’S ROWINGMaster’s in Real EstateMax Heid’s philosophy of life is fueled by passion, grounded in values, and topped with a hefty heaping of gratitude.“The values that rowing instills in you — the love for hard work, the grit, the drive to push yourself to the absolute limits — those are the same things I apply to my passion for academics and for business,” the h-year rower and nationally-recognized scholar-athlete declares.From the time his stepfather encouraged him to step into a single scull when Max was 8 years old, he immediately took to the water. A stellar high school career at Seattle Prep led him to Husky Athletics, where he eagerly accessed tutoring and other academic support to earn entry into the Foster School of Business.“My academic advisor was a leading force in helping me realize that goal. He helped me structure my classes around rowing and plan toward a future graduate degree,” says Max, who earned a Bachelor’s in Finance (3.6 GPA) in 2023 and will complete a Master’s in Real Estate (3.9) this spring.Max hopes to pursue a career in wealth management “to help the next generation of earners and homeowners” and to one day help increase nancial literacy among high schoolers.

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14 | THE TYEE DIFFERENCE Spring 2024‘A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT A WASHINGTON GYM DAWG SHOULD BE’Gabi Wickman bounced o walls as an energetic child, until she discovered that bouncing o a gym oor could nally tucker her out.“I took part in a lot of sports like swim team and competitive soccer. Then I found that gymnastics made me the most tired every day,” laughs Gabi.A local gymnast from Kirkland, Gabi earned three high school state champi-onships in bars and scored a bronze medal at nationals. Her choice of a university came down to one overriding factor: “If I didn’t have gymnastics, where would I be happiest?” Washington was the answer thanks to its outstanding academics, beautiful campus, and wealth of nearby outdoors activities.After a solid freshman season, she tore her planta fascia (the tissue in the heel of her foot). Then, just before her rst meet as a sophomore, Gabi suered a blow to her dominant arm and was in a cast for ve months.“Once I got comfortable ipping with a cast on, I started training on oor again,” she recalls. “‘I taught myself one-armed tumbling passes. But then going into my junior year, I tore the ligaments in the same arm. Not long after junior year, I tore my meniscus in my knee.”Those injuries sidelined Gabi for the past two years. She says she’s grateful for the Athletic Department’s medical, training and academic resources that helped her power through her struggles.“It’s caused a lot of heartache, but I’m a very optimistic and positive person,” she says. “I’ve learned how to face adversity and adapt. I’ve learned that there’s more to me than being a gymnast.”Head Gymnastics Coach Jen Llewellyn overows with words of praise for Gabi, calling her “a determined, level-headed, and even-keeled gymnast with an amazing work ethic who gives her best every day. She is a shining example of what a Washington Gym Dawg should be.”Gabi draws her inspi-ration from her parents, who grew up in Midwest farming communities, paid their own ways through college, and became the rst in their families to earn degrees. “They put in all this hard work so I could be where I am today. I need to show them that I can make the most of the opportunities they’ve given me,” concludes Gabi, who will graduate this spring from the Foster School with a degree in Information Systems, Business Operations and Supply Chain Management. She already has a job lined up with Adobe.Finally healthy and excited to compete this season, Gabi reects on what she’s learned and how it will help her long after she graduates.“I’ve learned how to perform under pressure. You might get large assignments in your career and learning how to get it done under constrained timeframes is crucial to success.”

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FOOTBALL ALUM SETS HIS SIGHTS ON A LIMITLESS FUTUREOn his journey from Samoa to Australia to the United States and the University of Washington, Ulumoo Ale learned a lot of important lessons:Home is where your heart is.Gratitude comes rst.And you have to wear a helmet to play football.The son of a pastoral couple in the Samoan Christian Congregational Church, Ulumoo was a toddler when his family left Samoa for a ministry in Australia. He grew up throwing the discus and shot put, boxing his way to three Golden Glove heavyweight titles, and playing rugby.When a new church beckoned the family to Tacoma, Ulumoo’s size and athletic prowess caught the eye of coaches at Fife High School. To his surprise, that unfamiliar sport required Ulumoo to don a helmet (unlike rugby, where he says headgear is optional for tough guys like him).Ulumoo laughs about that today and marvels at how far he’s come during his tenure of standout defensive play for the Huskies.“I’m so grateful that I’ve had six great years. I love this game and never thought I’d be where I am today — getting a scholarship, earning a degree, playing on the best team in the country,” he says. “I thank God every day. I wake up and it’s gratitude that keeps me going.”Throughout those six years, Ulumoo has taken advantage of many of the opportunities given to Washington student-athletes through the gener-osity of donors and alumni — academic support, networking, intern-ships, powered-up nutrition (he’s 6’6” and 330 lbs.), and the chance to write and to teach other UW students.He says his experiences with the ups and downs of Husky Football taught him to persevere.“You commit. You stay disciplined. You put in the work. That’s my biggest takeaway from this game,” states Ulumoo, who earned a BA in Political Science in 2022 and completed his Anthropology minor this year. OUR CORE VALUES AWARDSEach year since 2019, Husky Athletics has presented the annual Core Values Awards to four student-athletes who exemplify grit, growth mindset, committed service and humility.“Our core values are the foundation of our department. They are central to how we operate as a sta and they embody what our student-athletes aim to represent during their time at UW,” says Kim Durand, Deputy Athletic Director of Student Services / Senior Woman Administrator. “We present these awards to those who push not only themselves but their teammates to be leaders in competition, in their classrooms, and in their communities.”Gabi Wickman and Ulumoo Ale, along with Softball’s Madison Huskey and Men’s Rowing’s Jack Walkey, earned the honor in 2022-23.Previous recipients include Avie Niece (Volleyball), Cailin Onosko (Volleyball), Lark Skov (Women’s Rowing), and Ewen Lumsden (Men’s Tennis).Now that he’s done at the UW, those life skills will help fuel his future as a lawyer, a career he chose after interning with attorney and former UW student-athlete Cat Clark.“I never thought about taking the LSAT and applying to law school until I was able to see Cat at work and sit in on a trial. You have a game plan, you compete, it’s the same thing we’re doing in football but on another playing eld,” Ulumoo explains. “The things I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made at the UW will last long after I take the jersey o.”UWTYEECLUB.ORG | 15

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University of Washington / Intercollegiate AthleticsBox 354070 Seattle, WA 98195-4070THANK YOU, HUSKY NATION!It’s the one day each year when we all come together to support the purple and gold. On Husky Giving Day last month, you made a huge impact on the lives of student-athletes by donating more than $700,000! What a day!Caring donors like you made more than 1,200 individual gifts, with the Husky Marching Band leading the way with 200+ donations. Your donations to your favorite teams and programs generated nearly $630,000, almost doubling what was accomplished in 2023. Another $70,000 went to funds to support all student-athletes.Because of your generosity, these gifts will pave the way for 650 student-athletes in 22 sports to live their dreams as Husky athletes and scholars. On behalf of each of them, thank you!APRIL 4, 2024

Spring 2024 Tyee Difference

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