Annual comedy and music extravaganza created to honor Eastern Washington University student-athletes
By PAUL DELANEY
Staff Reporter
Athletes who are normally as stoic and serious as surgeons with a scalpel when they are doing their business on the field and court will get an opportunity to have some let-your-hair-down fun next week.
The “EeeWoos,” an annual comedy and music extravaganza created to honor Eastern Washington University student-athletes, takes place for the second time on Wednesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at Showalter Auditorium.
The program is the idea of Davin Perry, electronic media coordinator for EWU athletics, and is modeled after the ESPY's, ESPN's annual awards. “It's something I've always wanted to do,” Perry said. “I'm really into awards shows and I love the Oscars.”
“I thought it would be a great way to have all the teams and athletes come together as one, which they don't do a lot. Celebrate each other with a bunch of awards and comedy and poke fun at ourselves,” Perry said.
Last year the program centered around Eastern's mascot, Swoop.
In the video from 2009, when Swoop did not show up on time, Mark Hughes, then the Eastern golf coach and now the associate director of athletics for development, called and found the tardy Eagle fast asleep. And so began Swoop's comedic search to get to the ceremony, which he arrived at just in time, Perry said.
Perry is the only one knows the video winners. Voting is done by the staff and coaches. “This keeps everyone in anticipation.”
“Last year we had a surprise award that honored Terry Stratton,” Perry said. “We presented him with a new jersey with his name on it and it was very emotional,” Perry said of the honor, presented to EWU's super-fan.
The best surprises are the videos that compete for awards. “We did an all-staff music video that everyone will see for the first time,” Perry said. “For the athletes, to see their coaches in a new light, they really enjoy it,” Perry said.
Teams can produce their own videos or have Perry assist. “Like volleyball did one called “The Practice,” as spoof on the “The Office,” he said. “We're going to have a live song this year about the red turf,” Perry added.
“We just try to have a great time, get the athletes out and honor them, laugh at ourselves at the same time and end the year with a bang,” Perry said.
A limited amount of seating is available for the public to attend the formal awards gala. A social hour with beverages and hors d'oeuvres takes place at 6 p.m., with the awards presentations beginning at 7 p.m.
Only 150 pre-sale tickets are available via an order form available at http://www.goeags.com. Cost is $10 for the general public, and $5 for EWU students with valid student identification. Walk-up sales will be on a space-available basis only.
Serving as masters of ceremonies is EWU assistant football coach Torey Hunter and Colleen O'Brien from KXLY.
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].
EeeWoo's Awards
Best Team
Best Game/
Competition
Best Play
Best Athlete
(male and female)
Newcomer of the Year
(male and female)
Coach of the Year
Triple-Threat Citizen
Best Record-Breaking
Performance
Scholar-Athlete of
the Year
(male and female)
Reader Comments(0)