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.
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.
