The Huskies and Cougars rivalry is elementary at this school

SNOHOMISH — It’s 8 a.m. Wednesday morning and staff, students and parents are packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Dutch Hill Elementary School gymnasium, creating a sea of crimson and purple.

One table is dominated by the Rice family, with father Scott waving his Washington State University flag and his wife Rosa and children Meghan, Lauren, Emma, Ashley and Nick all decked out in full Cougars gear. Some of the kids even sport their Gardner Minshew fake mustaches.

Just a few feet away at another table Mark Ottele is sitting with his children Mady and Finn, who are repping the University of Washington via face paint. Mady has a purple W painted on each cheek, while Finn has his whole face painted like a husky so he can look like Washington’s live mascot Dubs.

This is Dutch Hill’s annual Dads ‘n Donuts gathering, an Apple Cup-themed event that brings the entire school community together in a spirit of friendly competition. And with Friday’s football game in Pullman between the Cougars and Huskies set to decide the Pac-12 North championship, the energy level rivals that of a football team’s pregame sideline hype huddle.

Scenes from Dutch Hill Elementary School’s Apple Cup-themed Dads and Donuts event: pic.twitter.com/OWfqmIx8Fd— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) November 21, 2018

“I think it’s fun to show spirit for Washington State,” said Meghan Rice, who’s an eighth grader at Centennial Middle School, but joined the rest of her family for the event at her elementary alma mater.

“The Dutch shows up for stuff,” Dutch Hill principal Jack Tobin said. “When we have bingo night or concerts, this place gets totally packed. It’s a really highly involved and engaged school community.”

Especially when rooting interests are involved.

Tobin created the Dads ‘n Donuts event when he became Dutch Hill’s principal eight years ago. Tobin, a rabid Cougars fan who received his doctorate at the school and is a WSU football season-ticket holder, wanted a morning to invite the students’ dads to the school. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was chosen because many of the dads have the day off. The proximity to the Apple Cup, which is traditionally the day after Thanksgiving, made the theme a natural.

“It’s just a quick way to connect with the families before Thanksgiving, and it’s a nice way to wrap up a fun half-day before we go off on Thanksgiving break,” said Tobin, who was sporting his Cougar football jersey.

And the individual responsible for the event, Dutch Hill Elementary principal Jack Tobin. No mystery which side he’s on: pic.twitter.com/OFadhA6nsF— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) November 21, 2018

On Wednesday the gymnasium was decorated with dashes of crimson and purple, and highlights of past games were projected onto a large screen above the stage. Crayons and coloring pages with football players on them were spread across the tables to entertain the kids while they munched on their donuts. At least half the attendees wore something indicating their allegiance.

Tobin also has a standing bet with two of the school’s teachers, Linda Davidson and Zan Peterson-Moens, who both come from multi-generation Husky families. Each year the loser has to come to school the following Monday wearing the paraphernalia of the winner.

It’s been a rough few years for Tobin in that regard as Washington has won the past five Apple Cups. One year Davidson and Peterson-Moens presented Tobin with a Husky blanket and sleeping hat. Tobin curled up on the floor of his office to the caption, “Principal Tobin is getting tired of losing to the Huskies.”

“We’re having a hard time finding new stuff to decorate his office with,” Davidson quipped.

“I love it because comes into our classrooms that day all Dawged up and the kids just think it’s hysterical. He’s been a really good sport.”

“Considering he’s had to wear it every year,” Peterson-Moens added.

This year Tobin added another twist. The school held a PTA fund raiser in conjunction with Dad ‘n Donuts, with donors able to make their donations in the name of either Washington State or Washington. The college that raised the most money had it’s flag raised over the school. Washington won by a tally of $1,400 to $400, meaning the Husky flag was flying proudly over the gymnasium Wednesday.

“I think the best thing that comes out of it is that we have this big rivalry, but it’s all in good fun,” Davidson said. “We tease each other and the kids see it’s in good fun, it’s not to be mean-spirited. We’re all proud of where we went to school.”

As for Friday’s game, Tobin is hoping Washington State’s losing streak comes to an end — as well as his own.

“Hopefully the Cougars will win, and Mrs. Donaldson and Mrs. Peterson-Moens will get to wear some Cougar gear on Monday,” Tobin said.