Husky Stadium (capacity 72,500) / University of Washington photo

CONSISTENTLY VOTED as one of the most scenic football facilities in the nation, 72,500-seat Husky Stadium offers majestic views of Lake Washington and the Cascades. The stadium is located on the southeast edge of the UW campus on the western shore of the lake, and is situated just north of the Montlake Cut, which connects Lake Washington with Lake Union (Seattle’s annual boating season opens with collegiate crew races on the Cut) and Seattle.

Horseshoe in shape, Husky Stadium is the brainchild of Darwin Meisnest, Washington’s graduate manager (now known as the athletic director) following World War I. Meisnest proposed the stadium’s construction in January of 1920 to replace an antiquated Denny Field (where legendary coach Gil Dobie went 58-0-3 from 1908-16 and was fired for his efforts), and then spearheaded the campaign to fund it.

Originally constructed to hold 30,000 spectators, and featuring a dirt playing surface (and laced with rocks), Husky Stadium underwent its first major renovation in 1936 when 10,000 seats were added  around the entire rim of the structure.

Husky Stadium was further expanded in 1950 for the heyday of the Hugh McElhenny-Don Heinrich era when roof-covered stands were installed on the south side at a cost of $1.7 million. That renovation also added a two-level press box to the south-side overhang located approximately 165 feet above the stadium floor. The 15,000 additional spectator seats brought capacity to 55,000.

In 1968, capacity rose to 59,000 with the addition of 3,000 seats to the north rim. Also that year, AstroTurf replaced the old grass field. With that addition, Husky Stadium became the second football facility in the country, following the Houston Astrodome, to use an artificial playing surface.

Under the direction of then-athletic director Mike Lude, Husky Stadium underwent another expansion in 1987 with the addition of 13,000 seats to the north side. The $13 million project, which included the construction of the Don James Center (as glass-enclosed reception area) brought capacity to its present day 72,500.

In 2000, with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks set to use Husky Stadium during the construction of Qwest Field, the AstroTurf surface — installed in 1968 and replaced in 1972, 1977, 1987 and 1995 — was removed and replaced by FieldTurf, thanks to a gift from Seahawks owner Paul Allen.

Despite all the renovations over the years, Husky Stadium has fallen into considerable disrepair. The University of Washington has sought funds from the State Legislature to upgrade the facility — so far without success.

In August of 2010, the university selected Wright Runstad & Company as the primary local developer in moving forward with a $250 million renovation.

As part of the plan, the lower bowl and southside upper stands will be demolished then reconstructed.

The track will be removed and seats will be lowered to bring fans closer to the field. A new football operations facility will also be part of the renovation.

Husky Stadium was the site of U.S. President Warren G. Harding’s final speech (he delivered it in June of 1923 and died died two months later), and the 1990 Goodwill Games, an Olympic-style athletic extravaganza featuring teams from the United States and former Soviet Union.

• BUILT: May 7-Nov. 27, 1920
• FIRST GAME: Nov. 27, 1920 (vs. Dartmouth)
• ARCHITECT: Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company
• CONSTRUCTION COST: $600,000 (paid for by a student fund drive)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Get the best deals on Husky football tickets at StubHub.
• Sports Press Northwest members can access a wide variety of historical information about University of Washington football, including a complete Husky Stadium timeline, in the Vault.