Why Washington's premier college football rivalry is named after a piece of fruit

Cultures · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Apple Cup is more than a gridiron clash between the University of Washington and Washington State University. Born in 1900, this storied rivalry evolved from a simple contest into a cultural institution, eventually adopting its fruity moniker from a trophy donated by the state's apple commission in 1963.

The rivalry between the University of Washington Huskies and the Washington State University Cougars began with a 5–5 tie in 1900. For decades, the game served as the traditional season finale, typically held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, the schedule has shifted significantly over time. In 2006, the NCAA expanded the regular season to twelve games, leading to experiments with later dates, including the Friday after Thanksgiving, to accommodate bye weeks and manage player fatigue.

The trophy itself has a complex history. Before the current Apple Cup, teams competed for the Governor's Trophy, a bronze shield donated by Governor Clarence D. Martin in 1934. The modern name emerged in 1963 when the Washington Apple Commission donated the Big Apple Trophy, reflecting the state's status as a major apple producer. The term eventually became the standard name for the game itself, cementing the connection between the sport and the state's agricultural identity, which was further solidified when the apple became the state fruit in 1989.

Logistics have often been as contentious as the play on the field. The game has moved between various venues, including Husky Stadium in Seattle and Martin Stadium in Pullman, with occasional stints in Spokane at Joe Albi Stadium. The series has seen rare interruptions, most notably the 2020 cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, the game underwent a major shift: it is no longer a conference matchup following the dissolution of the Pac-12, and the hosting rotation has been reversed, with Seattle now hosting in even years and Pullman in odd years.

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