Eastern Washington University’s football program stands tall among the legends of college football. Across a century and a century, the Eagles have captured an incredible 26 conference championships, showcasing an unparalleled dominance in the Big Sky Conference. But was this period of success truly unprecedented in the history of the program?
While the sheer number of championships is undoubtedly impressive, a deeper dive into the Eagles’ history reveals a fascinating tale. From the program’s humble beginnings in the early 20th century to their current stature as a perennial powerhouse, Eastern Washington’s journey has been punctuated by periods of both exceptional achievement and stagnation.
The decades following World War II witnessed a surge in EWU’s football prominence. The Eagles soared to unprecedented heights, capturing nine Big Sky titles between 1960 and 1980. This dominance seemed to solidify their status as a regional powerhouse.
However, the subsequent years saw a period of relative decline. Despite maintaining competitive records, the Eagles struggled to recapture their previous glory. This lull lasted for over two decades, casting doubt on whether the program could ever reclaim its former glory.
The resurgence of the 2000s saw a renewed sense of optimism. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Kramer, the Eagles embarked on a remarkable climb back to the top. From 2003 to 2010, they dominated the Big Sky Conference, capturing ten championships in that period.
This remarkable resurgence begs the question: was this truly a unique era in Eastern Washington’s football history? While the sheer number of championships during this period is undoubtedly remarkable, the program’s previous successes and subsequent struggles suggest that this era might simply represent a cyclical rise and fall.
The future of Eastern Washington football remains uncertain. However, the program’s rich history and recent successes suggest that they will continue to be a competitive force in the Big Sky Conference. Whether they can recapture the level of dominance they enjoyed in certain eras remains to be seen.
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