Two generous families have joined forces to initiate a $6 million challenge to help boost fundraising for two major WSU Athletics capital projects: Indoor Practice Facility (IPF) and Champions Complex.

From March 1 to August 31, 2021, any new gift or pledge committed to the IPF or Champions Complex will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $6 million by Scott and Lisa Taylor and Ken and Sue Christianson.

“Thank you to the Taylors and Christiansons for their generous pledge and challenge to fellow Cougs,” said WSU President Kirk Schulz. “The IPF and Champions Complex are transformational projects for the future of WSU Athletics and we know Cougar Nation will respond in full force to meet the challenge goal.”

The Cougar ties run deep for Scott and Lisa, spanning seven decades. Scott’s parents are both WSU alumni and Scott (’82) and Lisa (’83) both graduated from WSU with a degree in business. In addition, two of their three children are also WSU alums. 

“The memories that Washington State University and Cougar Athletics have given us are a treasured part of our lives and we believe the benefits of the IPF will help create more wonderful memories for generations of Cougars to come,” said Scott and Lisa, who made a $2 million donation to the IPF in 2019, at the time, the largest cash gift in Washington State Athletics history. If this challenge is met, the Taylors most recent commitment would add an additional $5 million to their past commitment to the IPF. 

Like the Taylors, the Christiansons have a WSU connection that spans decades, as they are both graduates in Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (Ken ’74 and Sue ’76) and their four children all attended WSU. 

“As lifelong Cougars, we have a special sense of pride to witness the achievements by Cougar student-athletes, on the field and in the classroom,” said Ken and Sue, who have committed $1 million to this challenge for the Champions Complex. “Cougars make a difference, and, with our matching challenge, we want to encourage them to give to this vital project for WSU Athletics.” 

Because of the Taylors’ and Christiansons’ challenge and those who have already invested in the projects, if the full amount of the two gifts is matched, funding for these two priorities will be near completion.

“We are deeply appreciative of those who have previously made gifts in support of the IPF and the Champions Complex,” said Chun. “The collective support we have received for these two projects are an example of how when Cougs come together, anything is possible. But we are not done.”

For more information about the IPF and the Champions Complex, and to learn how to be part of these historic projects, please contact athletics.CAF@wsu.edu or visit cougarathleticfund.com.

To make a contribution to the Indoor Practice Facility visit HERE

To make a contribution to the Champions Complex visit HERE