Nov. 7, 2011
SEATTLE - Athletic department and University of Washington officials gathered with media and guests in the west end zone Monday for a groundbreaking ceremony signifying the commencement of the Husky Stadium renovation. Construction has now officially begun on the stadium, which will reopen on Sept. 7, 2013, when the Huskies host Boise State. "This is an important day, but not just for athletics. It's important because this is our front porch," UW president Michael K. Young said. "And our front porch invites people into the rest of the house and it's a place where people come, where they celebrate, where they engage, and where they develop a kind of love for the university that we appreciate." Head football coach Steve Sarkisian and director of athletics Scott Woodward joined Young, alongside Greg Johnson, president of project development team Wright Runstad & Co. in the groundbreaking. "The significance of this day for our program is huge," Sarkisian said. "It's impactful on so many fronts where we continue to build as a program, not just in the immediate future, but for our long-term goals. We're extremely lucky to have the setting that we have for college football here on Montlake and sitting on Lake Washington." The ceremony concluded with a stadium proclamation read on behalf of the Seattle City Council by Councilmember and former Husky football player Bruce Harrell. STADIUM PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Majestically perched above Union Bay with stunning views of Mt. Rainier, The Olympic Mountains and Lake Washington, Husky Stadium is annually recognized as the most scenic football stadium in all the country; and WHEREAS, The University of Washington Huskies first played in Husky Stadium on the final game of the 1920 season in a game against Dartmouth on November 27th and thus began a 91-year history of Husky pride and tradition in Husky Stadium; and WHEREAS, In 1992, against the University of Nebraska 72,500 screaming, diehard Husky fans, gave Husky Stadium the distinction of recording the loudest crowd ever at a college football game at 130 decibels; and WHEREAS, Over the 91-year history of Husky Stadium we have witnessed countless examples of coaching and athletic greatness on the way to building an enduring culture of Husky pride and tradition; and WHEREAS, Throughout the years Husky Stadium has hosted countless great games including, a 27-14 come-from-behind Apple Cup victory in 1975; another 27-19 come-from-behind Apple Cup victory in 2003 and in 2009 the thrilling victory over number three ranked USC; and WHEREAS, The Huskies closed out the current era at Husky Stadium with their final 2011 home game on Saturday, November 5th; and WHEREAS, In 2013 Husky Stadium reopens with new amenities and fan experiences that bring it into the 21st century thus ushering in a new era of Husky tradition and further solidifying Husky Stadium as one of the finest college football stadiums in the country where the Husky faithful will spend their autumn Saturday afternoons cheering on the Huskies, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, THAT NOVEMBER 7, 2011 IS: "BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON" HUSKY STADIUM DAY ABOUT THE RENOVATION |
