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Gonzaga Basketball

Dressed in uniform from head to toe, Gonzaga president Thayne McCulloh embracing school spirit at WCC Tournament

Before the game with San Francisco, Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh, greets fans outside the Orleans Arena wearing a custom Zags basketball uniform with the number 26 because he is the 26th president of the university. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Before the game with San Francisco, Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh, greets fans outside the Orleans Arena wearing a custom Zags basketball uniform with the number 26 because he is the 26th president of the university. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Whitney Ogden whitneyo@spokesman.com(509) 481-1067

LAS VEGAS – If the Gonzaga Bulldogs needed an extra man on the sidelines, Thayne McCulloh is ready to step in.

Before Gonzaga’s West Coast Conference semifinal against San Francisco on Monday, the Gonzaga president abandoned his usual slacks and collared shirt for a complete Zags uniform.

McCulloh went with the custom-made white jersey with No. 26 printed on the front, representing him as the 26th president of the university. In place of his name on the back was ‘(hashtag) zagup.’

He didn’t stop there. McCulloh covered his fingers in several NCAA Tournament rings on and completed the outfit with a pair of red sneakers that had ‘GU Prez’ embroidered in blue above the laces.

“Nice to see you made the team finally,” one fan said to him with a laugh.

The president showcased his outfit during pregame festivities outside Orleans Arena. His getup caught the eye of quite a few Gonzaga fans, who recognized the president after a few double takes and insisted on documenting the odd sight with some photos.

It was the kind of reaction McCulloh had hoped for when he agreed to wearing the uniform at the WCC tournament a few years ago.

“We just like to have some fun,” he said.

But not too much fun – McCulloh was back in his usual attire before tipoff and looking like Gonzaga’s proud president as he cheered on the Zags from the stands for the rest of the night.