A Washington State University sports institution for 35 years, Arthur "Buck" Bailey came to WSU as an assistant football coach and became a legend as its colorful - and winning - head baseball coach.
He played football and baseball at Texas A&M and Bethany College in West Virginia and was captain of the West team in the first East-West Shrine football game in 1925.
At Washington State, Bailey's baseball teams won or shared 12 Northern Division pennants and were second 11 times. The 1950 team was runner-up for the NCAA title and Bailey's Cougars finished seventh nationally in 1956. Bailey’s career spanned from 1927-42 and 1946-61; the three-year gap came when Bailey served in the military. He posted a 603-325-5 (.649) career record.
He was player-coach of "Bailey's Angels," barnstorming basketball team made up of WSU sports greats which toured the Northwest and entertained thousands.
In 1950, the Cougars' home field was named after the legendary coach. Bailey retired after the 1961 season as WSU’s winningest coach in any sport.
