Fritz Waskowitz, the namesake of Camp Waskowitz – Highline School District’s Environmental Education facility, was honored as the Husky Legend at the University of Washington vs Utah football game on Nov. 7.  Carolyn Kach,  Assistant Director of Big W Club and Brand Development said “ Husky Legends are extraordinary individuals who have made an impact on the Husky Football program and its legacy.  This prestigious honor is given to the finest, most-decorated Football  student-athletes who have worn the purple and gold.”  

Even more special is that this game is the annual Salute to Service game honoring those in the community who have served in the armed forces.   Fritz Waskowitz was the Husky team captain for the 1936-37 season,  leading their winning bid for the Poi Bowl against Hawaii.  Following his football career with the UW, Fritz enlisted in the Army Air Corps.  He was seriously burned  while  stationed at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese  attack on November 7, 1941.   After recovering from these injuries,  Fritz  became  one of Washington’s first casualties in World War II.  According to a 1993, local news article “Lt. Waskowitz is said to have crashed his damaged bomber into a Japanese cruiser, making him – an American – the first kamikaze pilot of the war. “