In agreement to tackle vandalism and cougarism, UI and WSC begin 8-mile Walkathon

The University of Idaho and Washington State University have a storied football rivalry dating back to 1894, highlighted by the establishment of the Walkathon in 1938 to curb pranks between the student bodies. The first Walkathon followed a snowy game on November 12, 1938, where Washington State triumphed 12-0, leading Idaho's sports editor to walk the eight miles to their rival's campus. This tradition grew to include various student leaders and became a cherished event, with a notable compromise in 1950 when a game ended in a tie. The rivalry faced interruptions when Idaho moved to Division I-AA in 1978, limiting matchups until a revival from 1998 to 2007. The Walkathon returned during this period, with the last known instance occurring in 2013.

In the past 12 years, the teams have only met three times, and no Walkathons have been held since. Future games are scheduled for 2027, but the tradition's future remains uncertain. The Walkathon has become a symbol of school spirit and rivalry, fostering camaraderie among students from both institutions.