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Husky Stadium
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Husky Stadium
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Annually voted the most scenic football structure in the nation. Nestled high above Union Bay in Lake Washington it has several characteristics that make it unique among other stadiums.
A seating capacity of 72,500 allows Husky Stadium to rank as the nation’s 15th largest on-campus facility. It is the largest stadium, college or professional in the Pacific Northwest.
With nearly 70 percent of the seats located between the endzones, Husky Stadium can be one of the loudest stadiums in the nation.
The north upper deck offers sweeping views of Mt. Ranier, the Olympic Mountain Range and downtown Seattle.
Built in 1920at a cost of $600,000, the stadium’s initial capacity was listed at 30,000. The stadium was opened in the dedication game, November 27, 1920, when Dartmouth defeated Washington, 28-7. A student fund drive, in which students and businessmen sold plaques at $50 and $100 levels, provided the capital necessary to get the project off the ground.
Two members of the stadium committee were dispatched east to study an existing report on stadiums. Their determination called for a seating capacity of 60,000 and be constructed in two units. One of the key factors in the layout of the stadium was “the establishment of the longitudinal axis.” The goal was to “avoid as far as possible the glare of the sun in the stadium for the benefit of the players.”
To accomplish this goal, the astronomical department figured the angle of the rays of the sun at 4 p.m., November 24, 1920. Based on those measurements, the axis of the stadium was approximately set at right angles to the rays, which established the axis at 71 degrees 50 minutes west of north. The final components in figuring the stadium locations were figuring the best views of the lake and mountains from the interior and working with the existing confines of the land.
Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company was contracted to build the structure. The original contract to begin construction was signed May 7, 1920 and called for work to be complete by November 27 for the Dartmouth game-a timetable of six months and 20 days. A unique method of excavation known as sluicing--in which earth is displaced by high-pressured water-was used to clear the area. In all, 230,000 cubic yards of earth was moved using 587,000,000 gallons of water. The original crown on the playing field reached a height of 18 inches.
Plans for the stadium called for a four-lane track (including 220-yard straightaway) and the structural drawings called for stands that would allow patrons to “view the entire running track without rising or having his view obstructed by the person sitting adjacent to him.” The study resulted in an elliptical form being adopted.
A “sunken passage” was built to separate the fans from the field which also providing drainage for the field and facility. Drainage was a major concern of construction since it was calculated that one inch of rainfall on the structural portion of the stadium would accumulate 36,000 gallons of water.
The aisles and seating patterns were planned so that the original capacity crowd of 30,000 could exit the stadium in seven minutes.
The stadium was completed on time despite 46 days of rain during the construction period. Final work was finished 12 hours before kickoff of the inaugural game.
The stadium experienced further growth in 1936 when 10,000 above-grade seats were added around the rim of the structure, upping the capacity to 40,000.
In 1950, Husky Stadium was again expanded when roof-covered stands were added to the south side. Approximately 15,000 additional seats, at a cost of $1.7 million, offered excellent viewing between the goal posts.
A steel roof partially covered all seats in the upper deck and approximately 6,000 seats in the lower stands. In the rear of the structure, two silo-shaped ramps provided access to the upper deck concourses.
The two-level press box and camera deck areas were also installed as part of the 1950 project. The view available for approximately 75 members of the press is 185 feet above the stadium floor. The south side elevator was also part of the 1950 construction project.
Stadium capacity jumped from 55,000 to more than 59,000 in 1968 when 3,000 seats were added to the north rim and portable bleachers were installed beyond the east endzone. AstroTurf replaced the old grass field in 1968, the same year and all-weather track was installed around the football playing field. Washington was the first major college to install an AstroTurf field. At the time, the Houston Astrodome was the only other facility to use the playing surface. Because of the lack of similar fields, the huskies stocked over 200 pairs of shoes for opponents to use during games. The original artificial turf was replaced in 1972, 1977, 1987 and, most recently, in the summer of 1995.
In 1987, Husky Stadium expanded once again, adding 13,000 new seats. The $13 million project, performed by Lydig Construction of Spokane, brought the capacity to 72,500. The hallmark facet of the construction was a glass-enclosed reception area with a field view from goal line to goal line. Besides serving as an entertainment center on game days, the Don James Center has the capabilities to host major banquets or social events.
During the summer of 1990, the wooden bleachers in the north upper deck were replaced with new aluminum seating. The same process was repeated for the south upper deck in the summer of 1992.
The north deck seats are accessible by ramp or elevator. Husky Stadium possesses 49,580 sideline seats, or 68 percent of total capacity.
In 1989, all major construction in Husky Stadium was concluded with the replacement of the west stands. The $3.7 million facelift gives Husky fans better seating, more concession stands and restrooms, a new first aid room, police security area and photo deck.
In preparation for the 1990 Goodwill Games, Husky Stadium became the beneficiary of a brand new eight-lane synthetic surface track in the summer of ’89. The $1.5 million gift from the Seattle Organizing Committee provides athletes with a world-class facility. Husky Stadium hosted the track and field competition and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1990 Goodwill Games.
It's not just that the Huskies have had good teams. The stadium itself is a factor. With the always-packed stands so close to the field, the voices of visiting quarterbacks can vanish in the din.
"We do enjoy the benefit of 72,000 fans in the sold-out stadium," said former Washington coach Jim Lambright. "You appreciate the noise and loyalty of your fans. It makes it fun for a coach and provides an emotional lift for the players."
From I-5 Going North or South:
1. Follow the signs to Seattle
2. Take Hwy 520 exit toward Bellevue-Kirkland.
3. Travel 1/4 mile and take the Montlake Boulevard exit.
4. At the end of the off ramp there is a stop light at Montlake Boulevard. Turn left.
5. Travel across the Montlake bridge. You will see Husky Stadium on the right.
6. To access the E-10 or E-11 parking lots, turn right into the main stadium lot.
7. To access the C-21 parking lot (underground garage), turn left onto Pacific and make your first right. The garage is on your left.
8. To access the N-24 parking lot, continue on Montlake past Husky Stadium. Go 1/2 mile to the visitor's entrance on your left. Follow the directional sign.From Highway 405 Going North or South:
1. From Hwy 405 take the Freeway 520 exit toward Seattle. This leads you onto the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge heading West.
2. Once across the bridge, take the Montlake Boulevard Exit. Turn Right.
3. Travel across the Montlake bridge. You will see Husky Stadium on the right.
4. To access the E-10 or E-11 parking lots, turn right into the main stadium lot.
5. To access the C-21 parking lot (underground garage), turn left onto Pacific and make your first right. The garage is on your left.
6. To access the N-24 parking lot, continue on Montlake past Husky Stadium. Go 1/2 mile to the visitor's entrance on your left. Follow the directional sign.Parking and TransportationGates for all lots open at 7:00 A.M..
Parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Parking in nearby neighborhoods is prohibited. UW faculty and staff with parking permits park free on campus. A stack (bumper to bumper) method of parking is used in the stadium area. There is plenty of regular parking in the West and North campus parking lots.
Motor homes may park in Montlake lot E-1.
General Football Parking Information - (206) 685-1543
Football Disability Permit Parking - (206) 685-7167
Tyee Permit Parking - (206) 543-2234 or huskies@u.washington.eduFor information about game-day commuting, contact the UW Transportation Office: (206) 685-1565, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. weekdays or visit their Web site at www.washington.edu/upass/
Bus Services
The UW offers all ticket holders free bus rides to and from the games when they present their game ticket. Simply show your game ticket to ride on regular Metro service, Metro Husky Football Park and Ride service and Metro Husky Special Football Bus Service. If you don't have your game ticket and plan to take a regular Metro bus or a Metro Husky Special Football bus, you will be required to pay each way.On the return trip, passengers on regular Metro service or Metro Husky Special Football bus service show their game ticket stub. Metro Husky Football Park & Ride passengers do not have to show their game ticket stub-just board the bus and you're on your way!
Metro Husky Park and Ride Locations
Park your car for free and ride Metro buses directly to Husky Stadium from one of eight Park & Ride lots. (If you don't have your game ticket when boarding, be prepared to pay the two-way fare). Buses will begin boarding at Park & Ride lots two hours prior to kickoff, and will leave every 20 minutes or when they are full. Call 206/543-TIME to verify kickoff time.The last bus will leave the lot about 45 minutes before kickoff and arrive at the stadium about five minutes before game time. (Exception: Last buses from the South Renton and Federal Way Park & Ride will leave 60 minutes prior to kickoff.)
Shoreline Park & Ride-Aurora Ave. N/N. 192nd St. Located south of Aurora Village on Aurora Ave N (SR-99) at N. 192nd St. Kenmore Park & Ride-NE Bothell Way/73rd Ave. NE. Located on the north side of NE Bothell Way at 73rd Ave. NE in Kenmore. Northgate Park & Ride-5th Ave. NE/NE 112th St. Located one block north of Northgate Mall on 5th Ave. NE and NE 112th St. Houghton Park & Ride-116th Ave. NE/NE 70th St. Located east of I-405 (exit #17) on 116th Ave NE, south of NE 70th St. South Kirkland Park & Ride108th Ave. NE/NE 38th Place. Located north of SR-520. Take the SR-908/Kirkland exit. Eastgate Park & Ride-SE Eastgate Way/136th Ave. SE. Located north of I-90 on SE Eastgate Way between the I-405 and 148th Ave. SE interchanges. South Renton Park & Ride-S. Grady Way/Shattuck Ave S. Located east of SR-167 off of S. Grady Way and S. 7th St. Federal Way Park & Ride-S 320th St./I-5. Located west of I-% on S. 32oth St. Take exit #143 off I-5 to S. 320th. Ferry Riders
Please walk to the following bus stop locations to board special "Husky Stadium" buses:
Northbound-1st Ave & Marion St.
Eastbound-4th Ave & Pike St.
Busses will leave these locations one hour and 10 minutes before kickoff. The last Husky Stadium bus will leave about 30 minutes before kickoff.
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