Win or lose, Cougs booze – if you are familiar with WSU, you likely recognize this phrase.

It is through this expression that an unseemly misconception was born. People know WSU as the party school, the place everyone goes to have a good time and where nobody goes to learn.

However, this notion couldn’t be further from the truth. WSU provides world-class academics and boasts outstanding students – in fact, the Center for Measuring University Performance ranked WSU as the 47th top public research university in the nation in 2014.

The behavior of WSU fans is possibly the most significant culprit of this misconception.

Upon attending my first WSU Football game last month, some of the normal and accepted vulgar behaviors shocked me.

As I observed the ‘less than perfect’ behavior in the student section around me, I also began to notice the reactions from individuals sitting in other sections. The responses ranged from confusion, to shock and even disgust.

I found it especially strange when the crowd began chanting “F— the Huskies,” considering the fact that we were playing Eastern Washington University – the Eagles.

I soon realized that WSU’s football games are filled with angry shouts, constant heckling and profuse profanity.

I began to wonder if the unorthodox game-day rituals and endless jeers from our fans cause us to appear vulgar, ignorant and simple-minded, or do they show our spirit, pride and passion for our university and everything it stands for?

I’ve come to the conclusion that many of WSU’s fans act the way they do because they possess so much pride for their school. After all, there are so many things we Cougs have to be proud of.

Being from the East Coast, I can say that WSU’s spirit, pride and sense of community is the very reason why I, as well as many other students, decided to move across the country to be a part of this incredibly special place.

Our extensive alumni network also makes the WSU community unique, which reaches all 50 states and spans more than 149 different countries, according to WSU’s website.

Tim Pavish, executive director of WSU’s Alumni Association, wrote in an email that WSU’s close-knit community fosters relationships that give students an edge after graduation.

“Cougs love to help other Cougs succeed,” Pavish wrote. “Just about anywhere you decide to live, you will find Cougs who will help you get started – whatever career you choose to pursue, you will find Cougs who will help you get connected.”

The connections that a WSU education guarantees to its graduates provide just one of the many examples of our exceptional community.

Though our actions at sports games often appear profane to our critics, it isn’t difficult to see that the underlying reason for these behaviors is our love and devotion to our university.

Pavish points out that many Cougs have WSU license plates, join the WSU Alumni Association, send in photos with the Cougar flag while visiting other countries, and even shout ‘Go Cougs!’ when they see a complete stranger wearing a WSU T-shirt.

“Cougs definitely are not afraid to let the world know how proud they are to be Cougs,” Pavish wrote.

Unlike other universities, the pride here at WSU often doesn’t end after graduation.

“Alumni directors from other universities have said to me they wish their alumni were half as dedicated as Cougs are,” Pavish wrote. “All I can say to that is, ‘Go Cougs.’”

Perhaps we Cougar fans should care more about the nature of what we say and how we appear to others – however, in the long run, our game-day antics undoubtedly show our pride and devotion to our team, our school and our community.

Plus, why would we ever neglect the chance to heckle the Huskies?

Emily Hogan is a freshman genetics and cell biology major from Harrington, Delaware. She can be contacted at 335-2290 or by [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the staff of The Daily Evergreen or those of The Office of Student Media.