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The philanthrophy of Michael and Katherine Roos and their generosity of giving to Eastern Washington University will be recognized this October when that husband and wife duo will be 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.

The Hall of Fame induction breakfast and ceremony will start at approximately 8 a.m. on Oct. 1, and is expected to take place at the EWU Special Events Pavilion (Reese Court). The public is invited to attend and the cost is $20 per person. Guests must register via a link that will be available later in July at http://goeags.com/hof.aspx. Honored guests will also be recognized at halftime of EWU's football game against UC Davis later that day (kickoff is TBA, but as early as 12:30 p.m.), as well as Eastern's volleyball game the previous evening against North Dakota at 6 p.m.
 
Established in 1996, this year's class of four individual inductees and one team previously announced will bring the total number of individuals in the Hall of Fame to 78 and teams to 14. There will also be a total of 17 individual recipients and one organization which have received the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame Service and Contribution Award, with the legacy of the Eagle Athletic Association also being honored with that award in 2016. Individual Hall of Fame inductees are Steve Kiesel (track & field/cross country and contributor), Becky Nelson-Clark (track & field and contributor), Michael Roos (football) and Ed Waters (men's basketball and contributor). The 1976-77 Men's Basketball Team will also be inducted.

The Service and Contribution award was created in 2007 to recognize extraordinary achievements and contributions by individuals with a past association with the Eastern athletic department. This award, selected by the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame Executive Committee, seeks to honor individuals who have contributed not only to EWU, but to other outside endeavors such as education, community service and coaching. John Lothspeich was given the first award in 2007, and others honored include Chuck Randall (2008), Jim Wasem Sr. (2009), Ernie Afaganis (2010), Arthur C. "Woody" Woodward (2010), Jon Heimbigner (2012), Vic Wallace (2013) and Lawson & Ruth Van Kuren (2016). In addition, a group of six individuals -- H. George Frederickson/Ken Dolan/Russ Hartman/Jim Kirschbaum/Ron Raver/Bill Shaw -- were recognized in 2011 for their tireless efforts in the 1970's and 1980's in helping Eastern achieve NCAA Division I status and become a member of the Big Sky Conference.

 

More About Michael & Katherine Roos . . .

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.

• During its existence, 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 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."