Washington state Senator proposes law to force UW-Gonzaga to renew basketball rivalry

If the University of Washington and Gonzaga won’t renew their basketball rivalry on their own, then Washington State Senator Michael Baumgartner says he’ll push a new law to force them to face off.

The two schools used to play each other regularly, but haven’t played since 2007. And the Spokane Republican says it’s time to get them back together.

“We had a great basketball rivalry here in the state…and UW abruptly ended it after Gonzaga won 8 of the last 10 meetings,” Baumgartner says. “I think we need to get that rivalry going again and if UW is too scared to play Gonzaga I’d like to pass a law to give them some courage.”

Baumgartner says he was inspired by some lawmakers in Kansas, where the legislature recently passed a measure requiring the University of Kansas and Wichita State to play at least once during the regular season.

With the legislature scheduled to end this year’s session Thursday, Baumgartner’s proposal wouldn’t be considered until next year at the earliest.

“It’s a shot across the bow to encourage the UW to look again at their schedule for next year. It would be better for them to do it without having to pass a law,” Baumgartner says.

Some might argue the Vice-Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee clearly has a little too much time on his hands, but he insists its an important idea for both sides of the state, even at the same time he recently voiced his opposition to another seemingly frivolous bill naming an official state oyster.

Breaking news! Naming official state oyster bill just passed both houses. Heading to Gov desk. #StateSenateProblems

— Michael Baumgartner (@VoteBaumgartner) March 10, 2014

“I think more people around the state would care about reinstating the UW-Gonzaga rivalry than they do about naming a state oyster. But I could be wrong,” he laughs.

No response yet from either school.