Husky Stadium: A Storied History
Husky Stadium, officially Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for sponsorship purposes, stands as an iconic landmark on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Home to the Washington Huskies since 1920, this outdoor football stadium has witnessed decades of thrilling games, historic moments, and passionate fans. More than just a venue for sports, Husky Stadium serves as a gathering place for the University community, hosting commencement ceremonies and various events throughout the year.
From Washington Field to Husky Stadium: The Early Years
Originally named Washington Field, the stadium quickly became the envy of the football world after it opened in 1920. Following the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition that introduced Seattle to a national audience in 1909, the UW looked to expand the reach of its growing campus. The stunning 30,000-seat facility was completed in just six months. To help with the $600,000 price tag, a statewide fundraising effort sold commemorative plaques for $50 and $100, and UW students pitched in by doubling the student fee they paid from $5 to $10.
The original stadium was built in 1920 by Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company with a seating capacity of 30,000. It replaced Denny Field, located at the north end of campus, south of NE 45th St. and 20th Ave NE. Husky Stadium's first game was the concluding game of the 1920 season, a 28-7 loss to Dartmouth on November 27. Tickets to the game sold for $1, and students wore purple and gold hats that formed a giant “W” in the stands. Gov. Louis F. Hart and UW President Henry Suzzallo spoke to the crowd during a short dedication, and soldiers from Camp Lewis fired a salute from a 75-millimeter cannon as a seaplane swooped over the field.
As Gilbert Foster, ’21, editor of The Daily, wrote the day before that game: “There are many stadiums but we doubt if there is one that will compare with ours. One of the greatest in the world and half-completed in six months-it stands a tribute to engineering skill. When completed, it will be a monument worthy of a great institution - an impressive memorial.
On July 27, 1923, the stadium was the site of President Warren G. Harding gave one of his final speeches here before dying suddenly of a heart attack in 1923. Charles Lindbergh visited in 1927 just four months after he flew the world’s first solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Read also: University of Georgia Sorority Guide
Expansions and Renovations: Adapting to Growth
Over the decades, Husky Stadium has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing fanbase and evolving needs of the University.
In 1936, 10,000 seats were added, bringing capacity to 40,000. The capacity of the lower bowl was expanded with the addition of 10,000 seats around the rim in 1936. In 1943, 35,000 people watched a demonstration of a mock WWII bombing raid, showing how local forces would respond in an attack. The Seattle fire department and emergency response teams rescued mock victims and buildings constructed on the field that were exploded as P-38 planes flew overhead to demonstrate how citizens should react.
The first of the stadium's iconic covered grandstands was constructed in 1950, adding 15,000 seats to the south side. Development of the south grandstand was spearheaded by Athletic Director Harvey Cassill. Several thousand additional seats were added in 1968.
In 1987, the final upgrades were made with the addition of the north side upper deck, bringing capacity to 72,500. That project made headlines when the cantilevered roof collapsed during construction in February.
A Shift in Scenery: Field Surfaces
The playing field at Husky Stadium has seen its share of changes over the years, reflecting advancements in sports technology and a commitment to player safety.
Read also: History of the Block 'M'
The playing field at Husky Stadium was originally dirt, which was then replaced with natural grass in 1938. In 1968, Washington became one of the first major college teams to play on AstroTurf at home; at the time, the Houston Astrodome, Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, were the only other major facilities with artificial turf. The AstroTurf field was replaced in 1972, 1977, 1987, and 1995. FieldTurf, a new variation of synthetic turf, was installed in 2000 at a cost of $1,074,958. The new turf features enhanced drainage and reduced abrasion through the use of synthetic fibers that are tufted into an infill of sand and rubber.
The Husky Stadium end zones were painted gold during the 1980s and early 1990s; the new AstroTurf in 1995 changed them to purple. They became natural green with the installation of FieldTurf in 2000, which lasted until 2009 when they reverted to gold for one season.
Husky Stadium as a Multi-Purpose Venue
While primarily known for football, Husky Stadium has served as a versatile venue for a variety of events, showcasing its importance to the University and the wider community.
Husky Stadium was a primary venue for the 1990 Goodwill Games, where the crowd saw an address by former President Ronald Reagan, as well as an address by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a performance by the Moody Blues & Gorky Park. Husky Stadium was the temporary home of the Seattle Seahawks for five games (two preseason and three regular season) in 1994 while the Kingdome was temporarily closed for repairs to its damaged roof.
Each spring, it hosts the UW commencement ceremony, and there are numerous community events held here throughout the year. “Husky Stadium is a true ‘front porch’ for the University,” says UW President Michael K. Young.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
The 2013 Renovation: A Modern Transformation
Following an emotional farewell game against Oregon on Nov. 5, 2011, the Huskies played the Apple Cup and all of their 2012 home games at CenturyLink Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. In 2006, University officials began discussing a major renovation to Husky Stadium with an estimated cost of $450 million. For several legislative sessions, the UW tried, unsuccessfully, to lobby state lawmakers to help it collect $150 million in public money. But that wasn’t the will of the legislature, Woodward says.
The new Husky Stadium was developed by Wright Runstad & Company, designed by 360 Architecture, and constructed by Turner Construction company. The steel decking was supplied by Profile Steel. Fans will marvel at how much the new stadium looks and feels like the old one.
Sustainability was a priority for developer Wright Runstad & Company from the very beginning. More than 26,000 cubic yards of recycled concrete were used as fill on the new site, and more than 1 million gallons of water were cleaned prior to discharging off-site, making the new Husky Stadium a Salmon-Safe project. The old FieldTurf was donated to Seattle Pacific University’s soccer stadium, and the Football Operations Center that includes locker rooms, team meeting rooms, recruiting lounges and coaches offices, earned LEED Silver Certification, with some areas earning Gold Certification, for energy efficiency.
The renovation project incorporated a new grand concourse, press box, video and audio system, and football offices, as well as new and improved amenities, concession stands, and bathrooms. The track that had enclosed the playing field was removed, and the field itself lowered by four feet to make room for additional seating closer to the sidelines. The student section was relocated from the north sideline to the west end zone, and the temporary bleachers in the east end zone were replaced with a permanent structure featuring field-level suites.
To pay for the stadium, the UW is drawing on a loan from the university’s internal lending program that will cover the total cost of the project minus the total of private donations. Thirty-year bonds will be sold to finance the renovation. To cover $200 million, the school needs to generate an estimated $14.3 million annually through new revenue sources associated with the stadium, including premium seating options and sponsorship opportunities. The remaining $50 million was raised privately through the philanthropic “Drive for Husky Stadium” that launched in 2010. Neither the state nor the UW contributed money to the project.
This fall, the UW’s iconic stadium re-opens after a 21-month, privately funded, $261 million renovation that will change the landscape of Husky football forever. Premium seating options are in and the large oval track is out. The field has been lowered four feet to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. State-of-the-art upgrades are everywhere, from enhanced concessions and roomier restrooms to the 70,000-square foot Football Operations Center and sports medicine clinic integrated into the west end zone.
The Husky Experience: Traditions and Atmosphere
Husky Stadium is renowned for its unique atmosphere and passionate fanbase, creating an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike.
Many claim that the first audience wave originated in Husky Stadium on Halloween 1981, at the prompting of Husky band trumpeter Dave Hunter, although it is documented to have begun at the Oakland Coliseum two weeks earlier during an MLB playoff game. Contrary to Hunter's account, former Washington yell leader Robb Weller has also claimed credit for the first wave. Longtime UW band director Bill Bissell also claimed co-creator credit with Weller, suggesting that the wave was devised by both of them prior to the game.
When James first started coaching in the 1970s, college football rules actually protected players from deafening crowd noise, which was considered bad sportsmanship at the time. If the fans were being too loud, James says, the quarterback could signal the referee, who would stop play and make an effort to quiet the crowd down. “I went to the fans and the press and said ‘These teams don’t get to come in here and hear the snap count. Let’s make it loud in here,’ “ he recalls. “From then on, I saw the stadium grow and the program develop. The support came and the team continued to play well.” Now, noise is part of the game day experience. On occasion, the high decibel levels at Husky games along with fans stomping their feet in the bleachers cause television cameras to shake. During the 1992 night game against Nebraska, ESPN measured the noise level inside Husky Stadium at a record 130 decibels. That’s equal to a military jet aircraft taking off.
Husky Stadium is unusual in that fans can travel to football games by boat, known locally as "sailgating" (other stadiums with this feature include Neyland Stadium at Tennessee, Heinz Field at Pittsburgh, and McLane Stadium at Baylor).
Memorable Moments and Notable Figures
Husky Stadium has been the stage for countless memorable moments and has hosted numerous notable figures throughout its history.
President Warren Harding spoke inside the stadium to a crowd of nearly 25,000 people. In 1990, Husky Stadium played host to the Goodwill Games, which featured addresses by former President Ronald Reagan and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger. The stadium also hosted some events of the 2018 Special Olympics, the first time those Games were held in Seattle.
So many great Husky student-athletes have played in the stadium: Hugh McElhenny, Bob Schloredt, Don Heinrich, Sonny Sixkiller, Warren Moon, Joe Steele, Chuck Nelson, Mario Bailey, Damon Huard, Brock Huard, Marques Tuiasosopo and Myles Gaskin. Many notable football games have taken place inside Husky Stadium, too, including victories over USC, Oregon and Michigan. Naturally, Husky fans can recall just about every Apple Cup against WSU, especially in 1975, when Moon and Spider Gaines teamed up to help the Huskies overcome a 27-14 deficit with three minutes left to pull out a thrilling 28-27 victory.
tags: #university #of #washington #stadium #history
