Washington State University Athletics
Steve Gleason Recruit Suite Debuts in Cougar Football Complex
August 03, 2016 | Football
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State Athletics announced the naming of the Steve Gleason Recruit Suite, inside the Cougar Football Complex, Wednesday afternoon.
Â
Gleason, the Washington State Athletic Hall of Famer who played football and baseball in a Cougar uniform from 1995-99, was on hand as the room all future Cougar football players will walk through was named in his honor.
Â
"I am stoked to be a small part of this, thanks so much for including me," said Gleason. "We need to thank Glenn Osterhout for providing the funding for the room and facility. Finally, I'd like to thank my man Jason Gesser for coordinating this. Pullman has been a big part of my development. I have amazing memories from my time here and I am excited I could be here in person today. Thanks again for including me. Go Cougs!"
Â
The opportunity arrived courtesy of Cougar alumnus Glenn Osterhout's naming donation of $250,000. With his pledge, Osterhout, a 1983 graduate who is a certified financial planner in Bellevue, was presented the opportunity to name the recruiting room inside the Cougar Football Complex.
Â
"The recruiting room was something I was very interested in because that is a big part of what the football operations building is about, bringing in top-notch student-athletes," said Osterhout. "I wanted the room to be about somebody. Steve will be an inspiration to a lot of young men who will come through that room."
Â
Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. He and his foundation, Team Gleason, have been global leaders in raising awareness and improving the lives of those affected by the disease. The release of Gleason, a documentary depicting his life while living with ALS, debuted late last month in select theaters to high critical acclaim. The movie will be shown in Gleason's home town of Spokane Aug. 5 at the AMC River Park Square theaters and again Aug. 12 at Village Centre cinemas.
Â
Gleason was a four-year letter winner in both football and baseball during his time at WSU. On the football field he was a two-time team captain, garnered All-Pacific 10 Conference honors three times and finished his career with 282 tackles, ninth-most in school history. He was also a key figure on defense for the 1997 squad that made WSU's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931. As a member of the baseball team, he served as team captain his senior year and his 12 career triples were tied for third when he left.
Â
He went on to play in the NFL for seven seasons (2000-07), all with the New Orleans Saints. He may be best remembered for blocking a punt that resulted in a touchdown in the Saints' first game in New Orleans in nearly 21 months, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Â
Â
Gleason, the Washington State Athletic Hall of Famer who played football and baseball in a Cougar uniform from 1995-99, was on hand as the room all future Cougar football players will walk through was named in his honor.
Â
"I am stoked to be a small part of this, thanks so much for including me," said Gleason. "We need to thank Glenn Osterhout for providing the funding for the room and facility. Finally, I'd like to thank my man Jason Gesser for coordinating this. Pullman has been a big part of my development. I have amazing memories from my time here and I am excited I could be here in person today. Thanks again for including me. Go Cougs!"
Â
The opportunity arrived courtesy of Cougar alumnus Glenn Osterhout's naming donation of $250,000. With his pledge, Osterhout, a 1983 graduate who is a certified financial planner in Bellevue, was presented the opportunity to name the recruiting room inside the Cougar Football Complex.
Â
"The recruiting room was something I was very interested in because that is a big part of what the football operations building is about, bringing in top-notch student-athletes," said Osterhout. "I wanted the room to be about somebody. Steve will be an inspiration to a lot of young men who will come through that room."
Â
Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. He and his foundation, Team Gleason, have been global leaders in raising awareness and improving the lives of those affected by the disease. The release of Gleason, a documentary depicting his life while living with ALS, debuted late last month in select theaters to high critical acclaim. The movie will be shown in Gleason's home town of Spokane Aug. 5 at the AMC River Park Square theaters and again Aug. 12 at Village Centre cinemas.
Â
Gleason was a four-year letter winner in both football and baseball during his time at WSU. On the football field he was a two-time team captain, garnered All-Pacific 10 Conference honors three times and finished his career with 282 tackles, ninth-most in school history. He was also a key figure on defense for the 1997 squad that made WSU's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931. As a member of the baseball team, he served as team captain his senior year and his 12 career triples were tied for third when he left.
Â
He went on to play in the NFL for seven seasons (2000-07), all with the New Orleans Saints. He may be best remembered for blocking a punt that resulted in a touchdown in the Saints' first game in New Orleans in nearly 21 months, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Â
WSU Football: Mike Yam and Yogi Roth discuss 2026 Cougar Football Schedule! | 2/11/26
Thursday, February 12
WSU Football | Northern Quest Resort & Casino | Kirby Moore Signing Day Press Conference | 2/4/26
Wednesday, February 04
WSU Football: 16 Minutes with Kirby Moore at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl! | 12/22/25
Tuesday, December 23
WSU Football: "The Cougs draw first Blood!" | Chris King | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Call of the Game
Tuesday, December 23
