Editor's Note: Recent NCAA legislation has granted additional eligibility to senior spring sport student-athletes who have been impacted by COVID-19. Despite revenue shortfalls within the department, we will continue to provide Cougar student-athletes with the tools necessary to succeed including academic resources, nutrition, medical support, travel and equipment. The Cougar Athletic Fund has launched this new campaign to help support these "Super Seniors" and provide them with the resources to continue their dreams of competing and attending school at Washington State University.

We invite you to join our Super Senior CougsGive campaign, April 14, 2021, when we will be fundraising for these additional scholarships. We are featuring our "Super Senior" student-athletes who have returned this spring to continue their education and finish out their careers as a Coug. The following story highlights baseball  student-athlete Owen Leonard. 

For more information about how you can be a part of the Super Senior #CougsGive campaign click HERE


When pitcher Owen Leonard learned the 2020 baseball season would be canceled, the news hit him with the force of one of his fastballs.

"It was really one of the biggest heartbreaks that I have faced, knowing that I am a senior and that I could have pitched my last pitch of competitive baseball," Leonard said.

"Honestly, I would have left Washington State with some regret," Leonard added, "knowing it didn't end the way I wanted it to end."

Heading into their Pac-12 opening series against California the Cougars won seven of nine games.

Leonard was a key component to the Cougars' early-season success, handcuffing the opposing hitters with a 1.04 ERA and in the top five of the Pac-12 rankings in saves.

"Our program was so excited," Head Coach Brian Green remembered. "We had some confidence and we really wanted to test ourselves and see how much better we were."

However, on March 12, just a day before the series with Cal was set to begin, the NCAA announced springs sports were canceled due to the COVID pandemic.

"When that got taken away from us it was a gut punch," Green said.

Though the disappointment of the lost season hit hard, Leonard was in a unique position to speak on behalf of the student-athletes in pursuit of an opportunity for an extra season.

As a member of the WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Leonard served as the WSU representative on the Pac-12 SAAC committee, giving their input to the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA during discussions about whether spring sports student-athletes will be granted an extra year of eligibility.

"I was involved in Pac-12 level discussions about what the students wanted," Leonard said. "Being able to use my voice in that discussion on the Pac-12 level was really an eye-opening experience, to be able to communicate with other athletes across the conference."

On March 30, the NCAA granted spring sports student-athletes that extra year of eligibility.

"We received feedback that us using our voices to the Pac-12, and conferences across the country, encouraged the decision-making," said Leonard.

Leonard says he is taking advantage of the extra year by "using it wisely." And he is putting his words into action.

"I am the SAAC President this year and I am getting a minor in psychology, which I wouldn't have had the opportunity to pursue before," said Leonard, who is majoring in kinesiology.

Engagement in SAAC has been a passion for Leonard since he arrived at WSU as a transfer from Everett Community College.

"Being involved with SAAC has a lot of benefits for me," explained Leonard, "I want to use my voice to help everyone achieve their goals and dreams that they desire, inside and outside their sport."

"Owen is a winner, a leader," said Green. "He uses all of his experiences to improve himself in the other areas. For example, he utilizes his SAAC involvement to become a better teammate and a better leader on the baseball field. Conversely, he does that on the baseball field to better himself in SAAC. 

"Owen is clearly going to be a success in life in whatever area he chooses to pursue," Green added.

The experience of losing his senior season, then earning it back, has given Leonard a perspective that he would not have received before March 12, 2020.

"The decision to return was very easy to make but not taken for granted," Leonard said. "I've gotten a different perspective of life in general after that happened and that's something I am incredibly grateful for. Although it was hard fought and there was some trauma, I came out a better person on the other side."

With over 20 upperclassmen on the roster, Leonard says the 2021 season is "looking very promising" for the Cougars with the benefits of experience and leadership on the team.

As one of those leaders, the opportunity to come back on scholarship has made Owen even more grateful for the chance to play in 2021.

"Being able to come back under scholarship is a big deal for me and my family," said Leonard. "Coming from a junior college I wouldn't be able to afford a four-year university that's why I went to a junior college. It has meant a tremendous amount not only to me but my family to give me another year of school.

"I'm going to leave WSU really appreciating the times I had here and the people I've been surrounded by who helped me become the man I want to be today."