UW, WSU student leaders put hair on line for Apple Cup

Kayla Webley
2004-11-19
The Daily

Common wagers in this weekend's hotly contested Apple Cup include money, buying the winner a beer or meal, and, thanks to Nate Kuester, vice president of the Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU), hair.

Kuester called yesterday to challenge his counterpart, ASUW vice president Andy O'Connell, to put their locks on the line in a bet in which whoever loses the football game this weekend will have to shave his head.

"This week is all about fun so I thought I would have a little bit of fun with this," said Kuester. "As a student leader [O'Connell's] got to put it all on the line, including his hair."

Kuester placed the bet because he is trying to make the practice tradition.

"It has not been a formalized tradition but it has been going for many years, and I would love to keep it going," said Kuester. "Last year this was done by the presidents who asked people to participate. I took the challenge knowing full well we would win ... and I ended up losing my hair."

O'Connell received word of the wager in a message and may accept the bet.

"I got a post-it note on my desk saying Nate Kuester wants you to shave your head if we lose," said O'Connell. "I will accept if (ASUW president Kelsey) Knowles accepts, too."

O'Connell remains confident that he will get to keep his hair following Saturday's game.

"I don't anticipate the circumstances will play out that will cause me to shave my head," said O'Connell.

Kuester said the outcome of the game is unsure based on the Cougar's past losses in the match.

"We've lost the last six Apple Cups in a row so you never can tell. Do I have faith in my Cougars? Yes. Am I scared? Hell yes," said Kuester. "If we were to lose, which should not happen, I could do it again because I've got some practice."

Kuester said he is willing to sacrifice his own attractiveness for the gamble.

"I am a highly unattractive man so to lose my hair is not going to help me. I have not seen Mr. O'Connell so I am not sure how it would affect him, but it is a scary outcome for me," said Kuester. "I have heard from one of the [ASUW] senate representatives and he wasn't too sure Andy would go for it because he said he likes his hair a lot."

However, Rachel Flynn, ASUW director of organizational relations, said O'Connell might be up for the task.

"I don't think Kelsey would do it, but Andy might," said Flynn.