The Call of the Wildcats

James Starley BS ’85

President, Emeriti Alumni Council

What’s your favorite outdoor destination? Exploring the incredible scenery of Grand Teton National Park.

While hiking, would you rather meet a rattlesnake, a grizzly bear or a mountain lion? A rattlesnake, because I think I could outrun it.

If you could choose one celebrity to be your hiking partner, who would it be? Tim Allen because his sense of humor would keep me laughing if the going got tough.

Describe your wildest outdoor adventure or misadventure: In 2001, my son-in-law led my wife, my two daughters and me on an expedition to Grand Teton, the highest point of the Teton Range. We left the Lower Saddle at 8 a.m., but got lost in a steep, knobby section called the Golden Stair. It took us nine hours to reach the summit.

After a rigorous outdoor adventure, would you rather return to a tent, a travel trailer or a hotel room? To a hotel room for a long, hot shower.

What’s your favorite outdoor adventure book? My favorite stories involve 19th century mountain men. John Colter’s Escape From the Indians by Addison Sheldon is one of my favorites.

What’s your favorite WSU tradition? Traditions Keeper No. 9: Celebrate WSU Homecoming. Everything about the homecoming game, from the beautiful setting at Stewart Stadium to the cheer squad and band to the various ceremonies, makes this event special.

Alexa Rosen BS ’11, MBA ’15

President, Young Alumni Council

What’s your favorite outdoor destination? Southern Utah, because I love the desert and the red rocks.

While hiking, would you rather meet a rattlesnake, a grizzly bear or a mountain lion? None of the above! But, I’d probably stand a better chance with a rattlesnake.

If you could choose one celebrity to be your hiking partner, who would it be? Miranda Lambert, so we could talk about gender equality and shelter pets, and sing country music together.

After a rigorous outdoor adventure, would you rather return to a tent, a travel trailer or a hotel room? A travel trailer because I like the in-between option of wilderness living with a few modern conveniences.

Name something that tastes better eaten outdoors than indoors: Cheddar jalapeño sausages. Normally, I wouldn’t eat them, but when you’re camping and cooking over a fire, they’re a go-to!

What’s your favorite outdoor adventure movie? Quigley Down Under starring Tom Selleck. It’s a quirky mix of romantic comedy and Wild West adventure with an inspirational theme of standing up for those facing difficulties.

What’s your favorite WSU tradition? Traditions Keeper No. 17: Volunteer in Your Community. I’ll be forever thankful for the education and opportunities I received while attending Weber State. Now, as a Young Alumni Council member, I have an opportunity to give back to my university and community.

Hayden Bickley BIS ’19

President, Student Alumni Association

What’s your favorite outdoor destination? Zermatt, Switzerland. A few friends and I skied there while backpacking in Europe. 

While hiking, would you rather meet a rattlesnake, a grizzly bear or a mountain lion? A grizzly bear, just because I’ve never seen one in the wild, and it would be pretty awesome.

If you could choose one celebrity to be your hiking partner, who would it be? Bear Grylls from the TV survival series Man vs. Wild. He could teach me outdoor survival tricks and entertain me with his cool accent.  

Describe your wildest outdoor adventure or misadventure: I lived on an Indian reservation in Paraguay for a time. We slept outdoors in hammocks, showered with buckets of well water and packed all of our food for weeks at a time. We also shared the area with crocodiles, snakes, spiders, wild horses, goats and bees. I woke up one night with a tarantula on my face!

What’s your favorite outdoor adventure movie? Growing up, my brothers and I loved a movie called Wild America. It’s about three fearless brothers who travel the U.S. filming wild animals. We especially liked the part where the boys entered a cave with sleeping bears.  

What’s your favorite WSU tradition? Without doubt, it’s Traditions Keeper No. 12: Become a “True” Wildcat. After a WSU Homecoming dance, I kissed my date, a pretty girl named Courtney, under the Stewart Bell Tower at midnight. That’s how we both became true Wildcats, and the next summer, we got married.