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2026 Wildcat Gala & Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony background

About the Gala

Join us on Saturday, May 2, 2026, as we celebrate the inductions of Catie Fry (Volleyball), Zak Hill (Football), Jean & Joe Adams (Spirit of Central), and Dr. Richard Roux (Meritorious Service) into the CWU Athletics Hall of Fame. Register through the "Event Tickets" tab at the top before seats are sold out! 

Table of Eight Packages are $850 each

Individual Tickets are $75 per person

Inductees - please call Serenity Steward at (509) 963-1479 to get your complimentary tickets

During the ceremony, attendees will have multiple opportunities to support the current and future needs of CWU Athletics. Philanthropic opportunities include but are not limited to bidding on our robust inventory of auction items and quality desserts, raising your paddle to increase the principal of our Hall of Fame endowed scholarship fund, and helping student-athletes cover the cost of textbooks. 

About the Ceremony

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Catie Fry, Volleyball

Zak Hill, Football

Jean & Joe Adams, Spirit of Central

Dr. Richard Roux, Meritorious Service

Nomination Criteria

Athletes. To be eligible, the nominated athlete(s) must have completed his/her intercollegiate eligibility at least ten (10) years prior to the nomination. The athlete must also have competed at least two seasons at CWU (unless a second year is interrupted by injuries, family emergency, military service or other unforeseen circumstances) and have earned a degree from Central.

Spirit of Central.  Nominees for the Spirit of Central category must have a dedicated and exemplary commitment to Central Washington University Athletics.   (Examples include, but are not limited to donors, corporate sponsors, long-time fans, and athletic department and university staff members)

Meritorious Service. Nominees for the Meritorious Service category must have a minimum of 15 years of dedicated service to Central Washington University and whose actions and involvement have resulted in a notable impact on Wildcat Athletics. These individuals need not be graduates of CWU. (Examples include, but are not limited to: sportswriters, broadcasters, paid or volunteer staff)

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Football Spring Game

12:00PM - 2:00 p.m. at Tomlinson Stadium (Free Admission)

Wildcat Gala & Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony at Nicholson Pavilion

4:00 p.m. Doors Open

4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Social, Silent Auction, and Book Scholarships

5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Program Duration

Approximately 6:00 p.m. - Dessert Dash

6:40 p.m. Induction of Catie Fry (Volleyball)

6:55 p.m. Induction of Jean & Joe Adams (Spirit of Central)

7:10 p.m. Live Auction

7:40 p.m. Induction of Dr. Richard Roux (Meritorious Service)

7:55 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipient Announcements

8:15 p.m. Raise the Paddle

8:35 p.m. Induction of Zak Hill (Football)

8:50 p.m. Closing Remarks

Auction Item Preview (0)

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How to Bid from your Phone

Bidding on our silent auction is crazy simple! Watch the video below for instructions on how to get started bidding. 

Items without alcohol: mobile bidding will be open to checked-in participants starting at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. You can start bidding on these items even if you are still on your way to the venue!

Items with alcohol: mobile bidding is not available for these items. Checked-in participants must be in-person to place bids on them.

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors

Our fabulous sponsors have an integral role in making our Wildcat Gala & Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony a special night to honor our mission. Thank you, sponsors! 

Can't attend in-person? Here are other ways you can support CWU Athletics year-round:

  1. Make a minimum $25,000 pledge to a Crimson C program of your choice.
  2. Make a minimum $25,000 investment to establish your own endowment/scholarship fund.
  3. Talk with your employer about your organization becoming a corporate sponsor.
  4. Contribute any gift amount to one of our existing endowment/scholarship funds.
  5. Make a minimum $100 gift to the Wildcat Athletic Fund.
  6. Contribute any gift amount to a Sport Specific fund of your choice.
  7. Donate an auction item for the gala by clicking the "Donate Item" button to the right. The Athletics Development Coordinator will get in touch with you.

Questions?

Contact Serenity Steward, the Athletics Development Coordinator, at 

Serenity.Steward@cwu.edu, (509) 963-1479, or in-person at Barge Hall 115 on the CWU Ellensburg campus.