There is just something special about Washington State University. Nobody can quite pin it down. I’ve seen a lot of people try.
“It’s because it’s an isolated college town.”
“It’s the football team.”
“It’s Greek Life.”
“It’s a culture … emphasis on the ‘cult’.”
Whatever “it” is, there is something about a few years in Pullman that just changes a person, almost always for the better.
You can see it in the eyes of current students and hear it in the “Go Cougs!” exchanged across the country and around the world.
Anyone can see it, but not everyone can understand it. Sometimes, when I shake hands with a UW graduate, I sense a tacit pang of jealousy deep in their hearts. To attend a university so similar in name … but with no semblance of community … heartbreaking.
Aaaaaaaannnnnnnyhoooooodle…..
Since moving back to Washington State in 2025, I’ve been having a blast getting reacquainted with the WSU community. Wazzu is an awesome place, with awesome people. That means it cranks out a lot of badass business owners and alumni. I guess at some point those two groups hit a critical mass and something special was born.
CougsFirst! Is an independent business network that connects Coug-owned, managed, and connected businesses and professionals. They do a lot, but my favorite thing they do is host two annual trade shows, one in Eastern Washington and one in Western Washington.
This Friday, November 6, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, I’ll be at the Cougsfirst! Eastside show at the Spokane Convention Center. If you’re in the vicinity, you should be there too!
The Longhair Lawyer will be shaking hands and rubbing elbows.
The Longhair Laborer will be talking shop.
The Longhair Linguist will be selling books.
The Longhair Lifestyle will be peddling its wares.
Come stop by! Attendance is free and open to anyone. You do not have to be a Coug to attend. I am just one of many, many vendors! There are folks from all sorts of industries, including groups selling food and adult beverages and (if my past experiences are any indication of this upcoming experience) perhaps giving away samples.
- Tyler O’Brien -
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