It's a great day to be a Husky

Freshman: Within a couple weeks you should know the words to "Bow Down to Washington." Luckily for you incoming Huskies, opponents are trembling at the feet of mighty Washington.

It just might not feel that way.

For a good chunk of you newbies, college sports thrills begin and end with the football squad. And this season has been a bit of a disappointment. It's hard to look at this football team and not be critical.

But you have the right to be a critic, and a harsh one at that.

You're here because of that thing they call "Husky tradition." You're here because of Don James, Marques Tuiasosopo and Reggie Williams. You know, those guys.

You're here because of 1991. You're here because of four Rose Bowl berths in your lifetime. You're here because of Husky Stadium.

And now you show up and they're stinkin' it up more than the dirty laundry that hasn't been touched since you showed up two weeks ago.

But set aside the football team for a while.

They're in good hands with coach Willingham. They have nowhere to go but up. They're already showing life again. They'll return to glory. It will just take some time.

Now for your question: Does this mean I should abandon my purple-and-gold spirit, give up on the Dawgs, and do my laundry?

Answer: Yes and no. Unbeknownst to you, there are several other UW teams worthy of your support. Here's the quick rundown.

So you've probably received the memo that the men's basketball team is a national power, thanks to a group of guys you'll get to know (coach Romar, Brandon Roy, Mike Jensen, Bobby Jones, Jamaal Williams) and a few guys you wished you could have known (Nate Robinson, Will Conroy, Tre Simmons).

You may not have heard that pitching ace Tim Lincecum of the baseball team will indeed be back for another season of strikeouts galore.

Basketball and baseball are a long way off, so you might wonder what to do during fall.

Ever checked out women's volleyball? They're coming off a season for the ages: a 28-3 record, a trip to the Final Four. Hey, they're doing it again. Through nine matches they're undefeated. Heck, they haven't even lost one of the 27 games played.

Are you a soccer fan? The men and women both play this one and both do it pretty darn well. The guys are off to another fast start and have recently jumped into the national rankings. Keep an eye on senior midfielder Mike Chabala, whose intensity and emotion on the field is reason enough to stick out a bitterly cold November home game.

Golf and cross country are also in season. Senior Paige Mackenzie is one of the best female players in college, ranked number 2 by Golfweek.

By now you understand that it's still ok to bleed purple and gold (figuratively, of course) and take pride in being a Husky. From a fan's perspective, you've chosen a good place.

Now, freshman, you're on your own to being Husky faithful. Just make sure to wash your clothes once in a while.