The passing away of a WSU icon led to a reflective yet jovial tone for yesterday’s edition of Cougar Calls.

Chuck “Bobo” Brayton died Saturday at the age of 89, and the former Cougar baseball coach was the subject of yesterday’s radio show. Washington State University Athletic Director Bill Moos took the opportunity to reminisce and said he is committed to ensuring that Brayton’s legacy lives on.

“There are truly some tremendous Cougar legends, but Bobo Brayton was a cut above anybody,” Moos said of the man who holds the record for the most wins in WSU history.

He also described just how much Brayton loved WSU, citing a time when he told Moos that “if you’re going to be a real Cougar, you’ve got to love this place.”

Dick Fry, WSU’s sports information director from 1957-70, also joined the program to tell some of his favorite memories about Brayton. While hunting was one of his passions, Fry described Brayton as a renaissance man, and said that he was an excellent dancer.

Fry also added, “You couldn’t go anywhere with Bobo where, on the way, he wouldn’t stop at a nursery and get some plants, or some shrubs, or some trees or something.”

Not only was Brayton the first All-American Shortstop from the state of Washington in 1947, but as a coach he had a major influence on college baseball during his time at WSU.

Fry remembers that when Brayton first came to coach the Cougars in 1962, professional coaches were not allowed to be on the lines. Brayton didn’t like that, so he was instrumental in changing that rule so he could coach on the lines. He also initiated the regional playoff system in college baseball, because he believed the system at the time of his arrival at WSU was unfair.

Rod Commons, who has been the sports information director at WSU since 1976, also shared one of his favorite memories that showed Brayton’s true personality.

“Many years ago, when I was at Oregon State, a fan threw a banana at Bobo when he was in the coaching box,” he said. “Most coaches would just look at it and leave it there, but Bobo walked over, picked it up, peeled it and started eating it!”

His wry sense of humor also endeared him to his players, and that allowed him to be an extremely effective instructor.

“I think he might have been one of the best teachers anybody came in contact with,” Commons said. “He was always helping people.”

Moos said the death of someone he considered a friend was still very difficult, despite having felt that this moment was coming. “Bobo’s been in bad health for two or three years, but still, when it actually happens, it’s very tough,” he said.

“Once you met the guy, you couldn’t help but fall in love with him,” Commons said. “He is going to be missed beyond description.”

Spring Football Practices Continue

Though most of Monday’s Cougar Calls was devoted to remembering Brayton, Jason Gesser appeared on the last segment of the show to talk about Cougar football. The IMG radio analyst for WSU shared his thoughts on the spring football season.

“There’s been a different feel and a different energy from where they finished last year,” Gesser said.

Part of that difference has been the work of new defensive coordinator and secondary coach Alex Grinch. He has brought a unique dynamic to the practices that should help the defensive backs get valuable experience this spring. This will be crucial in preparing the Cougar defense for the upcoming season.

“Nowadays, with the teams that you’re facing, how pass-heavy their offenses are, you have to have that skill player out there,” Gesser said of the defense getting experience in this new system. “You can’t put a scheme out there if your personnel can’t handle the scheme.”

He also said freshman quarterback Luke Falk should be in the driver’s seat to win the starting job, if only because of his experience. Head Coach Mike Leach has not yet anointed him the starter, but Gesser said Falk looked the part, and was showing his mentality is that this is his team.