Even Wrigley Field finally succumbed to the mighty dollar, erecting lights so the team could play more night games and the owners could make more money. According to an article in The Spokesman-Review, the officials at Washington and Washington State universities are strongly considering playing the Apple Cup at Qwest Field in Seattle. Permanently. An agreement is expected to be finalized soon.
In a word: dumb.
However, I understand the economics driving the decision. The schools would be guaranteed $2 million each if the game was held at Qwest. Currently, the schools earn about $800,000 when the game is played at Husky Stadium and $240,000 when in Pullman.
From an esthetics standpoint, this decision blows. A move to Qwest Field would sterilize and corporatize the event. Each year, the game would look the same. There would be no future “Snow Bowls.” And worst of all there would be no tailgating. That’s right, you’re not allowed to at Qwest Field. But there are a number of restaurants around the area that would be happy to serve you $7 beers and $15 hamburgers.
We would lose the feel of an on-campus event. Where students can shake off the prior night’s “social” event and meander down to the stadium. You take away the homecoming feel for alumni travelling back to Pullman for a showdown with the Huskies. Last time I checked, this game was still a collegiate event.
And speaking of Husky Stadium, remind me why we’re all writing our legislators and asking for state funds to renovate the football stadium on Montlake? If you’re going to start reducing the number of home games played at Husky Stadium, why upgrade? That’s a question that’ll be asked – not that I totally agree – but it’s a valid concern. Why not play all the games at Qwest Field. Are you ready to answer these questions? How would the Tyee Club feel about this?
If this is the route college football programs want to take, so be it. But if they chose to chase dollars while paying lip service to the sanctity of the “Student Athlete,” I suggest these college athletes form a union and get what they deserve.
Go get paid.
In a word: dumb.
However, I understand the economics driving the decision. The schools would be guaranteed $2 million each if the game was held at Qwest. Currently, the schools earn about $800,000 when the game is played at Husky Stadium and $240,000 when in Pullman.
From an esthetics standpoint, this decision blows. A move to Qwest Field would sterilize and corporatize the event. Each year, the game would look the same. There would be no future “Snow Bowls.” And worst of all there would be no tailgating. That’s right, you’re not allowed to at Qwest Field. But there are a number of restaurants around the area that would be happy to serve you $7 beers and $15 hamburgers.
We would lose the feel of an on-campus event. Where students can shake off the prior night’s “social” event and meander down to the stadium. You take away the homecoming feel for alumni travelling back to Pullman for a showdown with the Huskies. Last time I checked, this game was still a collegiate event.
And speaking of Husky Stadium, remind me why we’re all writing our legislators and asking for state funds to renovate the football stadium on Montlake? If you’re going to start reducing the number of home games played at Husky Stadium, why upgrade? That’s a question that’ll be asked – not that I totally agree – but it’s a valid concern. Why not play all the games at Qwest Field. Are you ready to answer these questions? How would the Tyee Club feel about this?
If this is the route college football programs want to take, so be it. But if they chose to chase dollars while paying lip service to the sanctity of the “Student Athlete,” I suggest these college athletes form a union and get what they deserve.
Go get paid.
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