Bill Gaskins passes away

[Glad Cougar]

I know it's ancient history and most people on this board weren't even born yet when he wore the Crimson and Gray, but one of the great Cougar football players of the 1960s passed away Thursday and I don't ever want to forget those great Cougs of yesteryear. Bill Gaskins was a 2nd team all-American defensive back and a great return man who was part of the Cardiac Kids of 1965 that had an unexpectedly great season. I was a young kid at the time and just starting my lifelong devotion to WSU football and basketball. I can still hear Bob Robertson describing an interception by Gaskins or a long kick return. Bill had a long career as an instructor and head of the WSU Pharmacy school & department at the hospital. He and his wife remained in Pullman after graduation and loved the community. He would be considered a great Coug even without the football career. RIP, Bill Gaskins.

Glad Cougar

 

[cr8zyncalif]

Amen to that, Glad.

 

[Cougsocal]

Long time starter for the track team, and Pac-10 football official on top of that. He always gave back. A really nice and genuine man, I only wish I had the opportunity to see him play. Met Mr. Gaskins in 1981, the thing I remember most was his reflexed and calming influence on me and everyone in his presence. A sad sad day for the Cougar nation.

 

[COCoug]

Yes- very nice guy and a very nice Pullman family. Remarkable how he stayed and became part of the fabric of the community.

 

[Observer11]

I grew up hearing tales of three Spokane high school athletes - Bill Etter, Bobby Minnix and Bill Gaskins. There simply were no others accorded such elite status.

RIP, Mr Gaskins. You left your mark.

 

[Wasichus]

I know it's ancient history and most people on this board weren't even born yet when he wore the Crimson and Gray, but one of the great Cougar football players of the 1960s passed away Thursday and I don't ever want to forget those great Cougs of yesteryear. Bill Gaskins was a 2nd team all-American defensive back and a great return man who was part of the Cardiac Kids of 1965 that had an unexpectedly great season. I was a young kid at the time and just starting my lifelong devotion to WSU football and basketball. I can still hear Bob Robertson describing an interception by Gaskins or a long kick return. Bill had a long career as an instructor and head of the WSU Pharmacy school & department at the hospital. He and his wife remained in Pullman after graduation and loved the community. He would be considered a great Coug even without the football career. RIP, Bill Gaskins.

Glad Cougar

My story mimics yours, Glad. I too “cut my young Coug teeth“listening to Bob Rob describe those very same games. That Cardiac Kids team, and those players were in large part a reason I became such a long time fanatic.

Bill Gaskins was such a huge part of that. True Coug legend. RIP

 

[doggiedoo]

I grew up hearing tales of three Spokane high school athletes - Bill Etter, Bobby Minnix and Bill Gaskins. There simply were no others accorded such elite status.

RIP, Mr Gaskins. You left your mark.

Hmm... Rypien, Sandberg, and Stockton?

 

[Glad Cougar]

Hmm... Rypien, Sandberg, and Stockton?

I'm thinking he was referring to the time he grew up in Spokane, which was before the 3 guys you mentioned.

Glad Cougar

 

[Observer11]

I'm thinking he was referring to the time he grew up in Spokane, which was before the 3 guys you mentioned.

Glad Cougar

Since I played against Sandberg, Rypien and Stockton....once could conclude I am aware of them....

 

[cr8zyncalif]

The two threesomes mentioned in this string were phenomenally unusual combinations for a short time period in a city the size of greater Spokane. If you were willing to include Bump Wills in the conversation (though he is a few years older than Sandberg, Ryp and Stockton), then the conversation would be even more unusual. Though in a somewhat related vein, talking about unusual, we could also note the unlikely nature of getting a James Darling from Kettle Falls (sure, he moved there in high school from SoCal, but still...) or a Will Derting from Okanogan.

E WA produces some good kids, just not many. With a population in the ballpark of a mil and a half, the only reason it produces as many as it does is because the historic percentage of top athletes choosing to play football is high. I'm not sure that the same is true today, with the brain injury concerns.