The philanthropy of
Michael and Katherine Roos and their generosity of giving to Eastern Washington University was recognized in 2016 when that husband and wife duo was honored as recipients of the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame Service and Contribution Award.
Barely 10 years removed from their experiences as students at Eastern, their giving legacy has included the principal donation to the Red Turf project at EWU, as well as creation of the Michael Roos Foundation which benefits the Eagles. As a tribute to their giving legacy, Eastern re-named Woodward Field to "Roos Field" at a dedication ceremony Sept. 16, 2010, two days prior to the first game played on the new red turf at "The Inferno" against Montana on Sept. 18.
After suffering a season-ending injury in 2014, Roos retired from the National Football League on Feb. 26, 2015, after 10 seasons playing for the Tennessee Titans. An All-American at EWU and All-Pro in the NFL, Roos graduated from Eastern in 2005 and Katherine graduated one year earlier.
Starting virtually the day after they ended their experience as students as Eastern Washington University, Michael Roos and his wife Katherine established a generous legacy of giving back to their alma mater. The checklist of philanthropic giving, both individually and through the Michael Roos Foundation, is impressive:
• $500,000 pledge toward the Red Turf project at EWU's Woodward Field, which was renamed Roos Field at a dedication on Sept. 16, 2010.
• Established the Michael Roos Foundation Dinner, Sports Auction and Poker Tournament at Northern Quest Casino on March 10, 2007. The second-annual event took place on March 1, 2008.
• In 2009 and 2010, the Michael Roos Foundation partnered with EWU's Orland Killin Dinner, Dance and Auction.
• Each June beginning in 2010, has hosted the Michael Roos Foundation Fish & Chip Tournament in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, area. The event features NFL players, EWU supporters and several corporate sponsors for two days of competition featuring golf and bass fishing, as well as a special autograph signing event, lake cruise and youth clinic.
• The Michael Roos Foundation has benefited Eastern Athletics, Special Olympics in Washington and Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane County.
• In addition, the Roos family has been a part of a group of donors who have donated two sets of uniforms and two sets of helmets to the Eastern Football program.
As a tribute to their giving legacy, Eastern re-named Woodward Field to "Roos Field" at a dedication ceremony Sept. 16, 2010, two days prior to the first game played on the new red turf against Montana on Sept. 18. In making the approval of the name change, the Eastern Board of Trustees commended the Roos family's philanthropic efforts on behalf of Eastern and the community through the Michael Roos Foundation.
"We are thrilled to be able to acknowledge in this manner the incredible contributions Michael and Katherine have made to Eastern Washington University," said former Eastern athletic director
Bill Chaves. "We felt this was the most appropriate honor we could give them."
After suffering a season-ending injury in 2014, Roos retired from the NFL on Feb. 26, 2015. Roos graduated in 2005 with a double major in finance and economics, and Katherine graduated in 2004 with a degree in urban and regional planning.
"Most importantly, I owe the most to my wife Katherine," Michael said at the time of the Roos Field dedication. "She has put her life on hold since the day the NFL was a faint possibility, and she has supported me 100 percent every step of the way."
