CenturyLink Field Atmosphere

     By Brent Parker

     September 5th, 2012

A crowd of 53,742 was treated to a 21-12 Husky win in the home opener at CenturyLink

Field. This total is the lowest attendance in the Sarkisian era, and many are concerned that the problem lies more in a growing apathy among fans than the change of stadium. 

While this total is only 79% of capacity, there were some moments it got pretty loud. A "Go Huskies" chant even emerged in the 4th quarter with the Dawg Pack in the South Endzone yelling the former, with the North Endzone producing the latter. It was not as loud or as passionate as the ones that went on at Husky Stadium, but it was not bad. 

The Dawg Pack, UW's student section, was loud and excited. There were some empty seats, but this is definitely due to school not being in session at the University yet, with the first day of classes beginning on September 24th. UW Students started the "Go Huskies" chant, sang their fight songs, and made some noise. The Dawg Pack had a very successful night at The Clink. 

On the other hand, the rest of the stadium seemed relatively tired and lethargic for most of the game. Only a few in attendance participated in the kickoff rituals. The fans between the end zones better bring it in the next five home games.

The music was either too quiet or too loud, and the siren was barely audible when the Huskies scored. The band played well, but not often enough, and none of the music played by the band or the stadium speakers were motivational enough to pump up the crowd. 

It was a warm-up for Husky fans. Only the second game at a stadium that isn't theirs definitely produced some cobwebs. Portland State won't generate much excitement, but Husky fans better bring it when Stanford and USC come to town. A win over LSU would also generate a ton of excitement and possibly give CenturyLink the added edge to become a huge home-field advantage in 2012 for Washington.

UW vs. SDSU: Attendance

As of this Friday, only 48,254 tickets have been sold for Saturday's season opener against San Diego State. While SDSU is not a marquee opponent, the school year is not yet in session at the University of Washington, and it is Labor Day Weekend, the lack of ticket sales is troubling. 

The move to CenturyLink Field does create obstacles for fans who for years attended games at Husky Stadium, but CenturyLink Field is not some run-down, old stadium that is nowhere near Husky Stadium. CenturyLink Field is only 4.8 miles away from Husky Stadium, so for those who are not attending the game due to the change in home field need to find another excuse for not showing up.

Empty seats haven't an unfamiliar sight to Husky fans in the last few years.  

The lowest attendance at a Husky game in the Steve Sarkisian era was 58,088, in last year's home opener against a far less interesting opponent, Eastern Washington. There are still a few days for UW to sell tickets, and a few thousand more should be sold, but it would be a huge surprise if the actual in-game attendance on Saturday surpasses the total at last year's home opener. 

The Huskies enter the 2012 season with much hype. A revamped defense, two straight winning seasons, a Heisman-worthy Quarterback, and a jam-packed schedule full of marquee opponents, should have been enough to generate ticket sales. But, barring an influx of ticket-hungry Husky fans in the next three days, CenturyLink Field will have many pockets of open seats, a sight that has been all too familiar in recent years at Washington Husky games.

Why Shaq Thompson is Going to be a Star

Rated as the best safety in the nation for the Class
of 2012, the five-star recruit recruit from Sacramento, California committed to the University of Washington on January 31st, after previously committing to the University of California, Berkeley.

In June, Thompson was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round of the MLB Draft. After deciding to sign with Boston and play baseball in the summer before heading to Seattle, Thompson would go on to make national headlines after posting one of the worst stat lines in Minor League Baseball history, going 0 for 39 with 37 strikeouts in 13 games with Boston's Gulf Coast League Team.

However, Thompson's dreadful beginning to his baseball career could be a blessing in disguise for the Washington Huskies. Thompson has never known failure when it comes to sports. In his last two years at Grant High School, Thompson led the Pacers to a 21-5 record, while playing quarterback, running back, safety, and even on occasion, punter. His disastrous start in baseball could be beneficial because for the first time in his sports career, he has experienced failure, a necessary aspect in achieving success. While his baseball and football careers are completely separate, the criticism that he has already endured could motivate him to work even harder to be a star at the University of Washington. That isn't to say his work ethic isn't strong already, in fact, Huskies Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has praised Thompson's work ethic as "tremendous" and says that he is an "excellent leader".

At 6-2, 215, and a 40-yard dash of 4.57, Thompson possesses both strength and speed. This combination of strength and speed, combined with his versatility of playing multiple positions, should enable Thompson to become a star player not just in the Pac-12, but on the national level.

After graduating Grant High School with a 3.2 GPA, Thompson has shown that he is not only committed to his performance on the field, but off the field as well. In an era of student-athletes underperforming in the classroom, his commitment to academics will ensure that Thompson is a smart football player who stays out of trouble and makes plays on the field during his time at the University of Washington.


Follow me on twitter @bparker17 or via email at bphusky@uw.edu

Three Reasons Why the New Husky Stadium Will be Louder than the Old Husky Stadium 

After developing numerous structural problems from the combination of wet weather and age, 92-year-old Husky Stadium was torn down in December 2011 as part of a $250 million renovation process that will see the new Husky Stadium completed in time for the 2013 season.

Many Washington fans have worried that the new Husky Stadium will not be as loud as it was before the renovation, a stadium that in a game against Nebraska in 1992 recorded a pain-inducing 133.6 decibels, the loudest ever recorded at a college football game. With a decrease in seating capacity from 72,500 to 71,197, and the addition of a private lounge, luxury and patio suites, Husky fans have reason to believe the decibels will drop.

However, here are three reasons why the new Husky Stadium will be just as loud, if not louder than the old Husky Stadium, and be one of the loudest stadiums in all of college football.

1. The Huskies are Winning

 

Nothing brings fans to the stadium more than winning. That isn't to say Husky fans are fair-weather, in fact, just the opposite. During the 2008 season, when the Huskies went winless at 0-12, Husky Stadium averaged an impressive 63,640 fans a game.

Combine this loyalty with back-to-back bowl appearances, a head coach who is committed to winning in Steve Sarkisian, and an impressive squad that includes legitimate Heisman-contender Keith Price at Quarterback, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, one of the best Tight End's in the country, and the top-ranked safety in the Class of 2012, Shaq Thompson, and the fans will continue to make noise on Montlake for years to come.

2. The Overhanging Roofs Remain

  

Part of the reason why the old Husky Stadium was so loud was due to the two overhanging roofs that covered the North and South grandstands. Instead of crowd noise escaping into the air and being projected upwards like in most football stadiums, noise generated at Husky Stadium would bounce off of the overhanging roofs, and be pushed onto the field.

Preliminary designs of the new Husky Stadium show the roofs will remain, and as long as they do noise will continue to bounce off these overhangs and be projected at the players on the field and on the sidelines.

3. Location of Seats

 

While many stadiums in college football have a higher seating capacity than old Husky Stadium did, the location of these seats was a big factor in creating its noise. With almost 70 percent of its seats located between the end zones, the noise generated by the crowd is sent directly at the players on the sidelines and on the field.

The new Husky Stadium's capacity will be decreased by about 1,300, but many of these extra seats at old Husky Stadium were ones with obstructed views, and at times empty. The seating design remains the same, however, as the majority of seats will be between the end zones, creating the same affect it did the old Husky Stadium. Always loyal, Husky fans will continue to pack and make a ton of noise at the new Husky Stadium starting in 2013, just as as they did at the old Husky Stadium.

Draft Take: Kendall Reyes, DE Connecticut 

Summary: With the 49th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Kendall Reyes, Defensive Tackle from Connecticut. Projected by some as a late-1st round pick, he was definitely not a reach for the Chargers in the middle of the second round.

Take: While he did not impress scouts as a pass-rusher in his college career, a dominate performance in the Senior Bowl against some of the best offensive linemen in the country, changed the opinion of some scouts. He is 6'4 and weighs 299, and ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He is a hybrid pass-rusher and run-stopper. Not heavy enough to be a pure run stopper, nor a pure pass rusher, he could be a solid mix between the two. He has the quickness to be a pass-rusher at the next level, and if he uses his size, he could be very effective. Teammates and coaches alike have commented on his excellent character and work ethic, and so lack of effort should never be a problem. He is a very coachable player, and with his work ethic and quickness, he could find himself becoming a very productive pass rusher in the NFL. While he won't immediately start for the Chargers, he will get plenty of playing time in the Chargers front 3 as he will rotate with Jacques Cesaire, Vaughn Martin, Luis Castillo, and Corey Liuget.


Draft Grade: A-

Draft Take: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

Summary: With the 18th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers selected Melvin Ingram, Defensive End from the University of South Carolina. Projected a Top 10 pick, the Chargers thought they had no chance of getting Ingram, but after the Seahawks surprisingly choose Linebacker Bruce Irvin from West Virginia, Ingram was available when the Chargers pick came, and they were definitely not going to let him slip.

Take: Ingram was extremely impressive during the NFL Combine and during team workouts, and the Chargers loved his explosiveness. While he does not have a true position in the Chargers 3-4, he will play Outside Linebacker and he has a chance to be an impact player. With the disappointment of Larry English and the lack of depth at OLB, he has a chance to immediately come in and secure solid playing time. Don't expect him to be the next Shawne Merriman right out of the gates, but he has a chance to eventually get to that level. Ingram was also mentored during the NFL Combine by 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Von Miller, and he will get plenty of opportunity in 2012 to live up to his mentor.

Draft Grade: A+

My favorite Chargers video I have made so far. A complete history of the team from 1960 until 2011. Check it out!