Sport in Washington (State) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Washington Bullets

The Seattle SuperSonics began play as an NBA expansion team in 1967, but had to wait until 1974/95 before making their first playoff appearance. The arrival of former player Lenny Wilkens as head coach in 1977 saw a major upturn in their fortunes, and, in 1979, they were champions. Victories over the L.A. Lakers and Phoenix Suns saw them through to a finals match-up with the Washington Bullets.

After dropping the first game in D.C., the Sonics rolled off four straight wins to lift the trophy. Sadly for Seattle hoops fans, the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Answer: Pilots

The Seattle Pilots were members of the American League West division for the 1969 season, playing home games at Sick's Stadium. Managed by Joe Schultz, the team finished in last place in their division and were beset by financial problems from the start. In April, 1970, the Pilots were declared bankrupt and relocated to Milwaukee, where they were renamed the Brewers.

Answer: John Elway

John Elway was born in Port Angeles in 1960, where his father was head coach of the high school football team. In 1979, John began his college career at Stanford, where he was twice named Pac-10 Player of the Year. He was the number one pick in the 1983 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts, but refused to sign for them, eventually being traded to the Denver Broncos.

In a Hall of Fame career in Colorado, he led the Broncos to the Super Bowl five times, winning the last two. Green Bay were defeated in Super Bowl XXXII and Atlanta in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway was voted MVP of the latter game in what was his farewell appearance for the club.

Answer: Pullman

Washington State University opened in 1892 in Pullman in Western Washington. The Cougars joined the Pacific Coast Conference (forerunner of the Pac-12) in 1917, the football team having won the 1916 Rose Bowl game. The school has won national championships in boxing and indoor track and field.

Answer: Malcolm Smith

The Seahawks finished the 2013-14 regular season with a 13-3 record, first in the NFC West. After play-off wins against New Orleans and San Francisco, they faced the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVII at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Seattle dominated the Broncos, winning 43-8, with Malcolm Smith making nine tackles, recovering a fumble and returning an interception 69 yards for a touchdown.

Answer: The Masters

Fred Couples was born in Seattle in 1959. He attended the University of Houston from 1977 to 1980 before turning professional. His first PGA tour win came at the 1983 Kemper Open. In 1992, he defeated Raymond Floyd by two strokes at Augusta to win The Masters. In 2011, he won his first Major on the Seniors tour with victory at the Senior Players Championship.

Answer: Montreal Canadiens

The Seattle Metropolitans were formed in 1915 as members of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. At the time, the league's champions played the winners of the National Hockey Association (forerunners of the NHL) for the Stanley Cup. In 1917, the Metropolitans won the PCHA title and faced the Montreal Canadiens for the famous trophy, prevailing by three games to one - they became the first team from the USA to win the cup. Sadly, the team folded in 1924.

Answer: Michigan

The University of Washington was founded in Seattle in 1861. The Huskies were founder members of the Pacific Coast Conference (forerunners of the Pac-12) in 1916. In 1991, the school's American football team enjoyed a perfect 12-0 record including a win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day, 1992.

At the time, there was no college football play-off system, so it was down to the pollsters who would be named national champions. The Coaches poll gave it to the Huskies, but the AP Poll preferred the Miami Hurricanes who had also enjoyed a perfect season.

Answer: Utah Jazz

John Stockton was born in Spokane in 1962. He played collegiate basketball in his hometown at Gonzaga University. In 1984, he was a first round NBA draft pick by the Utah Jazz. In 19 seasons in Salt Lake City, he was league assists leader no fewer than nine tines, and was named MVP of the 1993 All-Star game.

He helped the Jazz reach the NBA finals in both 1997 and '98, but had the misfortune to run into a Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls team on both occasions.

Answer: New York Yankees

The Seattle Mariners were an American League expansion team who began play in 1997. They had to wait until 1991 for their first winning season and 1995 for their first postseason appearance. In 2001, they set a new AL record of 116 regular season wins, tying the 1906 NL Chicago Cubs' all-time MLB record.

After defeating the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series, they faced the New York Yankees for a chance to play in their first-ever World Series, but were beaten 4-1 in the best-of-seven series.