HUSKY STADIUM

:''For the home field of Northern Illinois University, see Huskie Stadium.''
'Husky Stadium' is the University of Washington's football and track and field venue in Seattle, USA, located between Montlake Boulevard N.E. and Union Bay just north of the Montlake Cut. Its U-shaped design was specifically oriented to minimize glare from the sun in the athletes' eyes. The open end overlooks scenic Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains.
Husky Stadium was originally built in 1920, replacing Denny Field, with a seating capacity of 30,000, but has gone through four remodels (two major, two minor) to expand the seating capacity. Just three years after its construction, the stadium was the site of President Warren Harding's final address before his death. In 1936, 10,000 seats were added around the rim. In 1950, a layer of 15,000 covered seats was added to the south side--the new structure also made some of the lower seats covered. In 1968, a few thousand more seats were added along the rim. In 1987, 13,000 covered seats were added on the north side--again, this structure also made some of the lower seats covered. This made the total capacity 72,500, making it the largest stadium, amateur or professional, in the Pacific Northwest. The 1987 construction project made headlines when the first version of the grandstand collapsed.

Because of its size and design (70% of the seats are located between the end zones) and the vociferous nature of Huskies fans, the stadium is considered one of the loudest in North America, often making it difficult for opposing teams to hear their quarterback's signals. Following a 31-0 beating from Washington’s “Purple Reign” defense, USC quarterback Todd Marinovich was quoted as saying, “All I saw was purple. No jerseys, no numbers, just purple.” During a 1992 game against Nebraska, ESPN measured the crowd noise at 135 decibels--well above the threshold of pain.[1]
It was used in the 1990 Goodwill Games, where the crowd saw an address by Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States; as well as an address by Arnold Schwarzenegger; and a performance by the Moody Blues. The stadium served as the temporary home of the Seattle Seahawks in 1994, 2000, and 2001.
The playing field was originally natural grass, lasting through the 1967 season. In 1968, Washington became the first major college team to play on AstroTurf; at the time the Houston Astrodome was the only other major facility to use the surface. The AstroTurf at Husky Stadium was replaced in 1972, 1977, 1987, and 1995. The next generation of synthetic turf, FieldTurf, was installed in 2000, paid for by the Seattle Seahawks.

Contents

Tailgating

21st Century Renovation

Pro football years

External links

Tailgating

Husky Stadium is unique in that fans can go to the football games by boat. This fleet is commonly referred to as the Husky Navy. Husky fans are known to tailgate on these football vessels and then a water taxi will take them ashore when it is time for the game. The north and south parking lot is packed with cars and tailgaters. One landmark that is common for tailgaters is the climbing rock at the south end of the parking lot. There is currently controversy surrounding the south parking lot because the Pacific Interchange Option for expansion to the SR 520 Floating Bridge would effectively wipe out the south parking lot used for tailgating. Many Husky fans have made their opposition to the Pacific Interchange Option known. Fans also gather at the Dempsey Indoor Facility just north of the stadium for Husky Huddles. After the game, the Tyee Sports Council and the University of Washington Athletic Department put on the 5th Quarter where fans can gather and hear analysis of the game from UW Coaches and Husky Legends, and listen to the Husky Marching Band. They can also enjoy refreshments and a raffle for prizes.

21st Century Renovation

In November 2006, University of Washington Athletic Director Todd Turner revealed concept images of a new Husky Stadium and "athletic village". The new Husky Stadium is the first, and primary income source of, a completely remodeled athletic district. This major remodel will take decades to complete, as it will take place at the same time as a massive project by the Washington State Department of Transportation on nearby highways and bridges. The project consists of a new grand concourse, underground light-rail station, enclosed west end of the stadium, replacement of bleachers with individual seating, removal of track and huskytron, new press box, private box seating, lowering of the field, football offices, permanent seating in the east end zone that does not block the view of Lake Washington, and new and improved amenities, concession stands and bathrooms throughout. Along with the Husky Stadium remodel, new parking garages will be constructed and renovated facilities throughout the athletic village. The stadium renovation is expected to cost above $350 million. [2]

Pro football years

The first residency of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium was due to repairs to the interior ceiling of the Kingdome in the summer of 1994. The second residency (2000-01) was because of the demolition of the Kingdome in March 2000. The Seahawks' new stadium (now Qwest Field) would take over two years to complete, and was built in the Kingdome's footprint.
In order to evaluate its suitability for use in the NFL, Seahawks' owner Paul Allen paid to install a FieldTurf surface at Husky Stadium in the summer of 2000. Visiting players were so impressed with the surface at Husky Stadium that it was rated as the best non-grass field in the NFL, and rated higher than many of the grass fields.[3] Originally, natural grass was to be installed in the new stadium, but the Seahawks' management and players were so impressed by the performance of FieldTurf that it became the original playing surface at Qwest Field in 2002.

External links

★ Official UW Athletics Web site

★ Large picture of Husky Stadium and boat tailgaters

★ Details and pictures of Husky Stadium

★ Husky Stadium in Columns, the UW Alumni Magazine

★ Map of the UW campus, showing the location of Husky Stadium in the southeast section

★ HistoryLink article describing the 1987 collapse

★ Pictures from 1987 collapse