The Larry Hattemer Offensive Lineman Scholarship was created in 1991 as a way for former Eastern Washington University offensive linemen and others associated with the Eagle Football program to give toward an endowment fund that will provide perpetual scholarship funds to EWU players. The fund has matured to the point that two-time All-American and current professional
Aaron Neary was the first beneficiary of the proceeds in 2016, and has been followed by recent recipients
Jerrod Jones and
Spencer Blackburn. Several former offensive linemen have joined efforts with EWU to help potentially double the current endowment and encourage annual and planned giving, in addition to current funds being raised now on behalf of the Eagle Athletic Fund. This endowment, and others like it, will include an annual gathering of donors and potential donors, as well as regular recognition and a yearly campaign.
or mail your check to EWU Foundation, 102 Hargreaves Hall, Cheney, WA 99004-2413
To Our Former Offensive Linemen . . .
Long ago, Coach “Hat” provided guys like us a chance to help be a part of something special that would go from good to great in a short amount of time. Now it’s time for us “fat-butted” lineman – his words, not ours – to give back to the institution that gave each of us so much.
The Hattemer Lineman Scholarship at Eastern Washington University has been renewed and reinvigorated, and now we are asking you to make a yearly contribution toward its success. Visit the website for information and a link for ways to give: http://goeags.com/hattemerendowment
Larry “Hat” Hattemer started the fund with a donation in April 1991. It was his hope to eventually provide scholarship funds in perpetuity to deserving and well-respected student-athletes who played on the offensive line. Hat was the driving force behind the fund, with the additional purpose of reconnecting former Eastern offensive linemen on a regular basis. The endowment grew enough to provide the first scholarship to a player in 2016. Two-time All-American and current Philadelphia Eagle Aaron Neary from Hanford High School in West Richland was a most deserving selection, and has been followed by recent recipients Jerrod Jones and Spencer Blackburn.
Will you stretch to help us meet our goal to more than double the endowment to $100,000? Of course, your donation today would be in addition to your current giving to the Eagle Athletic Fund and/or the new Eagle Football “Red Zone Club,” which provide much-needed yearly funding towards scholarships for Eastern student-athletes and resources for football operations. When you give to this endowment, you become a part of a group of individuals committed to Larry Hattemer’s legacy and the tradition of offensive line excellence at EWU.
This will be an annual campaign and extend to generations of EWU players, fans and friends. An annual gathering is in the works so that we can thank Hattemer Lineman Scholarship donors and urge others to join us. As former offensive linemen, we would like nothing more than to reunite regularly with our brotherhood.
Again, you can give at http://ewu.edu/HattemerScholarship or mail a check in care of the EWU Foundation .
Thanks for your time, and GO EAGS!
Jeff Kupp Aaron Best
co-Chair, Hattemer Endowment EWU Head Coach
OL/1982-84 OL/1996-97-98-99
Sunnyside, Wash. Tacoma, Wash.
About Larry Hattemer . . .
Inducted into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013, Hattemer is a former Eastern assistant football coach and administrator, as well as a coach and athletic director at Columbia Basin College. He hired Dick Zornes as football coach at CBC in 1977, then came with Zornes to Eastern in 1979. They coached together for 12 more seasons until Hattemer retired following the 1990 season. In all, Hattemer helped coach Eastern to a 70-53 (.569) record during the school’s rise from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (then known as Division I-AA). Including his years at CBC, teams he coached were 137-81-6. Eastern’s 1985 team finished 9-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs following a 42-38 first-round victory over Idaho. He was the offensive line coach of eventual NFL standouts Ed Simmons and Kevin Sargent, as well as several others who played professional football. Simmons, Sargent, John Tighe and Jeff Mickel were coached by Hattemer and earned All-America honors – a tradition of talented offensive linemen in FCS that has continued to this day. Although Eastern didn’t become a Big Sky Conference member until 1987, six Eagle offensive linemen earned nine different All-Big Sky honors under Hattemer (Sargent, Mickel, Peder Thorstenson, Tim Trout, Charles Spencer, Mino Pele), plus two tight ends combined for three honors (Tony Lenseigne, Brook Aldrich). Zornes, Simmons and Sargent are all members of EWU’s Hall of Fame, as well as the 1985 football team that Hattemer helped coach.
Previous Donors . . .
Former Offensive Linemen – Years Lettered - Hometown
Andy Allen – 1982-84-85-86 – Ephrata, Wash.
Scott B. Birdwell – 1980-81 – Forks, Wash.
Dan E. Eyman – 1980-81 – Yakima, Wash.
Walter A. Flatt – 1980-81 – St. John, Wash.
Greg J. Garske – 1979-80 – Seattle, Wash.
Russell E. Goodnow – 1984-85 – Kennewick, Wash.
Mark Grey – 1982-83 – Kalama, Wash.
David T. Hanna – 1985-86 – Clark Fork, Idaho
Michael A. Honeycutt – 1981-82 – Arlington, Wash.
Steven B. Kent – 1976-77 – Spokane, Wash.
Scott H. Kenoyer – 1986-87 – Cashmere, Wash.
Ed L. Kuharski – 1984-85 – Spokane, Wash.
Jeff Kupp – 1982-83-84 – Yakima, Wash.
David H. McWhirter – 1957-58 – LaCrosse, Wash.
Zachary E. Morgan – 1985-86 – Ephrata, Wash.
Timothy S. Murphy – 1985-86 – Valley, Wash.
Brent V. Myers – 1980-81 – Seattle, Wash.
Terry J. O’Leary – 1983-84 – Pasco, Wash.
Shamus J. Reilly – 1980-81 – Tacoma, Wash.
John H Rothstrom – 1981-82 – Newport, Wash.
Peder H. Thorstenson – 1988-89-90-91 – Seattle, Wash.
John E Tighe – 1979-80-81 – Lake Stevens, Wash.
Aaron L Voelker – 1982-83-84-85 – Wapato, Wash.
Other Former EWU Players – Years Lettered
Richard L. Bailey – 1951-52;
Dale D. Gier – 1950-51;
John D. (J.D.) Sollars – 1978-79;
Daniel L. Thurston – 1989-90-91-92
Others
Marilyn Abt, Edward Allan, Kris K. Allan, Arthur Andersen LLP Foundation, Boeing Company Monetary Donations, Paul Borg, Sterling Borg, Ty M. Brickner, Tony Carpine, Jeanette K. Carson, Dave J. Christensen, Helen V. Gilmore, Neal A. Gmeiner, Frank W. Groh, Bill Hall, Hiroko Hanes, Larry D. Hattemer, Bobbee M. Hepworth, Renee L. Hoke, Diana K. Horsfall, Itron, Inc., Virginia A. Jackson, Jake O. Kupp, Dan H. Leaf, Ray W. Liberg, Bob N Lincoln, Edward P. Lukaszeski, Sally Lundgren, Karen L Malisani, Trudy L. Miller, Kerry E. Moxcey, Northwest Telco, Carol J O'Leary, Daniel P. O'Leary, Gene A. Porter, Prudential Foundation, Matching Gifts, Ron Raver, Kenneth Ripley, Gladys M. Roberts, R. K. Roberts, Robert Roberts, Sherrie L. Sadanaga, Hal Sautter, Fred J. Schmidt, James A. Schneider, Sr., Diane B. Shaw, Fred R. Sievers, Judith P. Siminoe, Marlene G Soltero, Dr. Stephen S. Spacek, Daryl J. Stavros, James R. Tesarik, Robert M. Thorstenson, Sr., Thorne L. Tibbitts, James E. Trout, Keith J Veselka, Wachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Program, Dorothy C. Wagoner, Richard Weddle, Dr. Bart D. Whelton, Paul L Wulff.
The Eagle Offensive Line Legacy . . .
The Eagles have now had 22 offensive linemen earn All-America accolades in 33 years in FCS (1984-2016), including 14 first team All-Americans. They have combined for 71 honors (37 first team, 18 second team, 4 third team and 12 honorable mention).- A total of 56 Eastern offensive linemen have earned All-Big Sky accolades in 30 seasons in the league (1987-16), including 25 who have earned first team honors. They have combined for 92 honors (32 first team, 19 second team, 0 third team, 41 honorable mention).
- Since 1994, eight different Eagle offensive linemen have played in 10 different all-star games.
- Aaron Best is only the fifth EWU head coach since 1979 for the Eagles, and the third since then who played collegiately as an offensive lineman (Mike Kramer 1994-99, Paul Wulff 2000-07).
- Michael Roos, is among the 20 former Eagle offensive linemen in EWU’s 33 years in FCS (1984-2016) who went on to play professional football. Roos was an All-Pro offensive tackle while starting every game he played during a 10-year career with the Tennessee Titans in the National Football League. Drafted in the second round (41st overall) by Tennessee in the 2005 draft, Roos is among six Eagles to be drafted since 1984.
Comments on the EWU Football Offensive Line Tradition . . .
“Hat had that rare ability to see potential in recruits that many would pass on. Then he would go to work developing skills, keeping them focused, turning the raw prospect into a player. His success developing lineman and schemes has laid a strong base that continues at Eastern today. His influence was not just on his position players, but all involved in the program, including me.”
- JIM McELWAIN, Former Eagle Player & Assistant Coach, Now Head Coach at Florida
“He really beat the bushes to find offensive linemen who were lightly recruited or even un-recruited by other schools. With a lot of hard work that Coach Hat helped instill in us, they turned out to be pretty solid ballplayers. I could sit all day and listen to Hat talk about where he found kids and what they looked like as 17-year-olds. He had a great sense when he saw them about the potential they had to be ballplayers. “
- JEFF KUPP, Former Eagle Offensive Lineman (1982-83-84) - Sunnyside, Wash./Walla Walla CC
“When I think back to those who have made the most impact in my life other than family, I have my coaches to be thankful for. From youth sports through college I have been coached, tutored, and mentored. I was taught more than just the sport, I learned aspects of life used to this day. I am grateful to Coach Zornes and Coach Hattemer for giving my brother Tony and myself the opportunity to come to EWU and battle for the first scholarships offered in 1979. Coach Hat challenged, guided, and coached us up to play at the highest level. Coach Hat was and is a man of integrity, a man who loved family, and coaching. To this day we remain friends and spend time together. I look forward to the start of every football season to watch Eastern games, but most of all for the time with Coach Hat and my fellow teammates.”
- GREG GARSKE, Former Eagle Offensive Lineman (1979-80) – Seattle, Wash./Olympic CC
"I think AB is the perfect hire for Eastern’s new head coach. He bleeds Eastern red and has given everything he has to the program. He's the kind of coach that gets the most out of players, and respects and loves each one like a son. I don't think it could have happened to a better man. It’s a testament to someone who puts hard work into his passion day-in and day-out and gets rewarded deservedly. I believe he will put his stamp on the team from the start -- they will play hard and smart because that's the way he coaches. I know he'll succeed and can't wait for the season to come watch the Eagles play. Go Eags!"
- MICHAEL ROOS, Former Eagle Offensive Lineman (2001-02-03-04) & 10-Year NFL Veteran
