Info about Washington State University's Performing Arts Coliseum
-The WSU Performing Arts Coliseum’s first event, on June
3, 1973, was WSU Spring Commencement. The first concert was “Septemberfest,” on
Sept. 23, 1973. It featured various rock performers, including vocal-guitarist
Joe Walsh, formerly of the James Gang and later of the Eagles.
--The court inside the Washington State University
Performing Arts Coliseum (named in 1981 for Wallis Beasley), the Cougars' home
arena, was named after Coach Jack Friel in April 1977, as announced by WSU
President Glenn Terrell at a meeting of the WSU Board of Regents. Dedication of
the court was on Dec. 3, 1977, at halftime of a WSU men's basketball game. Jack
Friel graduated from Washington State College in 1923 and was WSC men's head
basketball coach for 30 years, 1929-1958.
-On Oct. 16, 1981, WSU Regents named the WSU Performing
Arts Coliseum to honor Wallis Beasley, former WSU executive vice president and
acting president. He retired Aug. 31, 1981, after 33 years of service,
including influential work as a faculty member and chair of the Department of
Sociology.
