History of Apple Cup in Timeline
The Apple Cup is an annual college football game played between the University of Washington Huskies and the Washington State University Cougars. This rivalry is significant as it involves the two largest universities in Washington state. While both were part of the Pac-12 Conference, this will change in 2024.
1900: The Inaugural Apple Cup Ends in a Tie
The first-ever Apple Cup game, held in 1900, resulted in a 5-5 tie between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars.
1900: The Inaugural Apple Cup
The very first Apple Cup rivalry game was held in 1900, marking the start of a long-standing tradition in college football.
1910: Apple Cup Held at Recreation Park in Spokane
In a departure from the usual venues, the 1910 Apple Cup game was held at Recreation Park in Spokane.
1934: Governor's Trophy Introduced to Apple Cup Rivalry
In 1934, the Governor's Trophy, a bronze shield crafted by sculptor Dudley Pratt, was introduced to the Apple Cup rivalry, marking a significant development in the history of the game.
1935: Apple Cup Moves to Mid-October in Eastern Washington
From 1935, the Apple Cup games held in Eastern Washington, specifically in Pullman, were scheduled in mid-October.
1939: Last Year of Governor's Trophy Winners Etched on Shield
The year 1939 marked the last time the names of the Apple Cup winners were etched onto the Governor's Trophy, a tradition that began with the trophy's inception.
1943: Apple Cup Put on Hold
The Apple Cup was put on hold in 1943, marking a pause in the long-standing rivalry.
1944: Apple Cup Remains on Hiatus
The Apple Cup continued to be on hold in 1944, extending the pause in the rivalry for another year.
1945: Apple Cup Resumes with Two Games After Hiatus
After a two-year break in 1943 and 1944, the Apple Cup rivalry resumed in 1945 with the unique occurrence of two games being played, one in Seattle and one in Pullman.
1945: Apple Cup Returns After Two-Year Break
Following a two-year hiatus, the Apple Cup rivalry resumed in 1945, with two games played, one in Seattle and one in Pullman.
1945: Two Apple Cups in One Year
The year 1945 featured the unique occurrence of two Apple Cup games: one in Seattle in mid-October and another in Pullman in late November.
1946: Governor's Trophy Continues to be Awarded
The Governor's Trophy continued to be awarded to the winner of the Apple Cup at least until 1946.
1946: Post-War Tradition: Rotating Home Games
Since 1946, a tradition was established where the Apple Cup would be held at Husky Stadium in Seattle during odd-numbered years and at Rogers Field or Martin Stadium in Pullman during even-numbered years.
1948: End of an Era at Rogers Field
The year 1948 marked the last time Rogers Field in Pullman served as the venue for the Apple Cup.
1950: Joe Albi Stadium Becomes WSU's Temporary Home for Apple Cup
From 1950 onwards, with the exception of 1954, Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane became Washington State University's temporary home field for the Apple Cup.
1954: One-Year Return to Pullman for Apple Cup
In 1954, the Apple Cup returned to Pullman for a single year, interrupting the temporary hosting arrangement with Joe Albi Stadium.
1954: Last Apple Cup at Rogers Field
The 1954 Apple Cup stands out as the last time Rogers Field in Pullman hosted the game.
1958: Cougars Secure Victory at Joe Albi Stadium
The Washington State Cougars secured a victory in the 1958 Apple Cup, which was held at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane.
1959: WSC Officially Becomes WSU
Prior to 1959, Washington State College (WSC) officially changed its name to Washington State University (WSU).
1962: Memorial Stadium Renamed to Joe Albi Stadium
In 1962, Memorial Stadium in Spokane, which had been serving as the temporary home for WSU during Apple Cup games, was renamed to Joe Albi Stadium.
1963: Apple Cup Trophy Introduced
First awarded in 1963, the Apple Cup Trophy, presented by the state's governor, marked a new chapter in the rivalry's history.
1963: The Big Apple Trophy: A Symbol of Washington's Apple Industry
In 1963, the Washington Apple Commission donated the Big Apple Trophy to the rivalry, signifying Washington's prominence in apple production, and leading to the game being colloquially referred to as the "Apple Cup."
1968: Another Cougar Win at Joe Albi Stadium
The Washington State Cougars achieved another victory in the 1968 Apple Cup, played at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane.
1972: Cougars Triumph at Joe Albi Stadium Once More
The 1972 Apple Cup saw the Washington State Cougars emerge victorious once again at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane.
1980: End of an Era: Joe Albi Stadium's Run as Apple Cup Host Ends
The year 1980 marked the conclusion of Joe Albi Stadium's tenure as the temporary home venue for Washington State University during Apple Cup games.
1982: Martin Stadium Becomes WSU's Home for Apple Cup
Beginning in 1982, Martin Stadium in Pullman became the designated home venue for Washington State University when hosting the Apple Cup.
1989: Washington Recognizes the Apple as State Fruit
In 1989, during the state's centennial celebration, the apple was formally designated as Washington's state fruit, further strengthening the connection between the fruit and the Apple Cup rivalry.
1996: Overtime Debuts in Apple Cup
Following the introduction of overtime for Division I-A football in 1996, the Apple Cup saw its first overtime game in Pullman.
2002: Huskies Win Second Overtime Apple Cup
The 2002 Apple Cup in Pullman marked the second time the rivalry game went into overtime, with the Washington Huskies emerging victorious.
2006: NCAA Extends Regular Season, Impacting Apple Cup Scheduling
The NCAA's decision in 2006 to extend the college football regular season to twelve games impacted the traditional scheduling of the Apple Cup, which usually took place before Thanksgiving.
2006: Proposal to Reschedule Apple Cup After Thanksgiving Emerges
With the college football regular season extending to 12 games in 2006, discussions arose about moving the Apple Cup from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the weekend after to allow both teams a bye week.
2007: Apple Cup Played After Thanksgiving
For the first time, the 2007 Apple Cup was held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
2008: Apple Cup Returns to Pre-Thanksgiving Date
The 2008 Apple Cup reverted to its traditional scheduling on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
2008: The "Crapple Cup": A Low Point for Both Teams
The 2008 Apple Cup, won by the Cougars in Pullman, was dubbed the "Crapple Cup" due to both teams' winless records (WSU 1-10, UW 0-10) entering the game.
2008: Cougars Secure Overtime Win in Pullman
The Washington State Cougars secured a victory in the 2008 Apple Cup, which went into overtime and was played in Pullman.
2009: Apple Cup Returns to Post-Thanksgiving Date
The 2009 Apple Cup in Seattle marked the return of the game to its post-Thanksgiving scheduling.
2011: Apple Cup at CenturyLink Field
The 2011 Apple Cup was uniquely held at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, rather than Husky Stadium, to accommodate renovations at the latter venue.
2011: Apple Cup Moves to Friday After Thanksgiving
Starting in 2011, the Apple Cup was commonly held on the Friday following Thanksgiving, a change from its traditional Saturday game day.
2011: CenturyLink Field Hosts Apple Cup Amidst Husky Stadium Renovations
Due to ongoing renovations at Husky Stadium, the 2011 Apple Cup was held at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
2012: Cougars Win Another Overtime Thriller
In 2012, the Apple Cup in Pullman went into overtime once again, with the Washington State Cougars claiming victory.
2020: COVID-19 Forces Cancellation of Apple Cup
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Apple Cup game was canceled, marking the first time since 1944 that the rivalry game was not played.
2020: Apple Cup Declared No Contest Due to COVID-19
The 2020 Apple Cup, originally scheduled to be played in Pullman, was declared a no contest due to Washington State not having enough players available because of COVID-19 cases.
2023: Last Apple Cup as a Conference Game
The 2023 Apple Cup marked the final time the rivalry game was played as a conference matchup, due to the impending dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference.
2024: Seattle to Host Three Consecutive Apple Cups
Breaking from the traditional alternating format, Seattle will host the Apple Cup for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2028, with Pullman hosting in 2025 and 2027.
2024: End of an Era: Apple Cup Becomes Non-Conference Game
Due to the dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference, the Apple Cup rivalry game between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars was played as a non-conference game in 2024.
2024: Apple Cup Scheduled for September in Seattle
In a departure from tradition, the 2024 Apple Cup was scheduled for September 14th at Lumen Field in Seattle, due to its new status as a non-conference game.
2025: Pullman to Host Apple Cup
Pullman will host the Apple Cup in 2025, as part of the new hosting arrangement.
2026: Seattle's Extended Hosting Streak Continues
As part of a new arrangement, Seattle will continue its consecutive hosting streak of the Apple Cup in 2026.
2027: Apple Cup Returns to Pullman
The Apple Cup is set to return to Pullman in 2027, following a two-year stint in Seattle.
2028: Seattle's Three-Year Hosting Run Concludes
The year 2028 will mark the end of Seattle's three-year streak of hosting the Apple Cup.