01/05/08: NCAA Basketball – Washington State Cougars @ Washington Huskies (Pac-10)
Hotel – Bellevue, WA
First Pac-10 outing of the year for me was a good one… #4 Wazzu was in town to play against their bitter rivals at UW. In lieu of a team sheet, I made cards for the major players on each team. I wasn’t going to be able to catch them at the arena after the game, so I had to go to their hotel beforehand. Many UW opponents stay in downtown Bellevue rather than Seattle, on the other side of the lake from the school. I was the only collector there, and luckily the rain that had plagued the area earlier in the day held up for most of my time out there.
The players started to filter out of the upscale hotel about two hours before game time, and everybody was great about signing. A few of the players even asked where I got the cards, responding positively when I said I made them. Derrick Low also signed the northwest edition of the Athlon annual. Tony Bennett, head coach and son of former Wisconsin/WSU coach Dick Bennett, was very cool about signing the composite 8x10 I am working on this season picturing all ten Pac-10 coaches. Kyle Weaver was the last one out and the bus was waiting on him so I only asked him to sign the Lindy’s annual (now I only need the Oregon guy to complete it).
Overall this was a pleasant experience; if you get a chance, get these guys to sign – they are all great about it!
Washington State
Thomas Abercrombie 1/1 card
Aron Baynes 1/1 card
Robbie Cowgill 2/2 cards (BaadN10tionzz 1)
Jeremy Cross 1/1 card
Daven Harmeling 1/1 card
Nikola Koprivica 1/1 card
Derrick Low 3/3 cards, magazine (BaadN10tionzz 1)
Taylor Rochestie 1/1 card
Kyle Weaver 1/1 magazine
Tony Bennett 1/1 coaches 8x10
