Letter I'm sending today to the UW AD. Please read.
I came away from the football game versus Arizona State more upset than after any game in the past eight years. Was I disappointed with the loss? Of course, but that’s not what made me angry. Instead, I’m upset about the “Our Tradition” campaign blaring across the video screens throughout the game. This latest attempt to elicit passion and boost fan support for the currently mediocre brand of Husky Football is misguided, and frankly, insulting.
The traditions displayed on the video board during these segments included images of a retired Captain Husky and UW Rose Bowl wins in the distant past. These “traditions,” as the department likes to bill them, don’t even exist in the current state of Husky Football, so the message behind them feels empty. However, the real issue relates to the bigger picture: You tout “our traditions,” but it’s been apparent that UW Athletics is more interested in selling traditions off one by one rather than maintaining them.
After several decades, the Husky Marching Band is suddenly no longer playing the national anthem. All because the current singer’s friends donated money for the new stadium sound system and demanded he get a solo gig. Yes, someone’s actually paying to specifically discontinue one of Husky Stadium’s longest-standing and proudest traditions.
The band also plays at maybe half of the rate they used to in the stands throughout the game, preempted by canned music, sponsorship opportunities, and now even movie trailers. More commercials equal more revenue for UW Athletics, but once again Our Tradition suffers.
The Zone consistently empties the stadium at halftime and well into the third quarter. Our once-vaunted home-field advantage has crumbled (something ESPN’s commentators alluded to during Saturday’s broadcast). Why is the Zone there? In part to reap the benefits of additional revenues earned from concessionaires.
Even a tradition as basic as the “Go! Huskies!” chant has dissolved because the student section was moved. Why were they moved? $$$$.
The tradition of wearing purple and gold uniforms by the football team has largely disappeared in today’s era of Oregon-style jersey transformations. Sure, the athletes love this, but it’s largely driven by your partnership with Nike. Again, every trail leads back to revenues and profits.
The fact is that Husky Football traditions are fading. Many of them are being sacrificed for financial gains and now the athletic department has proven that it is willing to literally sell them off (in the case of the national anthem). So stop insulting our intelligence by showing outdated imagery representing beloved traditions that you have little interest in maintaining!
To add insult to insult, the mercenary behind the mic completely ignored Saturday’s Moment of Silence for Marysville-Pilchuck High School, immediately launching into the national anthem. This disgraceful act, combined with his awkward rendition (which fans can’t even sing along to), makes your “investment” in him look worse and worse every week. But at least the new sound system is working well so we can hear more commercials with even better clarity.
I am not a doddering half-century season-ticket holder who fears change. But I am a lifelong Husky who has been through the extreme highs and the lows of our shared football history. I have represented UW Athletics on the field and Husky Nation in the stands for decades. I understand what Husky tradition means, as do tens of thousands of other dedicated fans, supporters and donors. Please: stop insulting us with meaningless propaganda and instead start showing us that you understand and care about preserving Husky Tradition.
Can you find ways to make your money without completely discarding the identity that made us proud of all of our athletes, coaches and administrators all these years? Can you make Our Tradition meaningful? Prove it.
Comments
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FO, AoG
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I had 400 co-signers to this letter. Huskie fans united, not divided.
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Funny thing is that I remember in the days before the Zone everybody wanted an option for where they could drink "sodas" at halftime ... now they are bitching because it's taking away from the experience.
Just goes to show that you can't make everybody happy.
FYFMFE -
TLDR....
actually I have to agree. Spot on -
Why don't people just figure out how to bring their booze into the stadium like true fans.. It isn't a difficult thing.
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Thank you for outlining why we only attend away games.
A bit sad actually... but nonetheless true. -
Bring back the track!
They should play "jump around" at the end of the 3rd quarter and see if that helps. -
It's all about revenue.
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It reminds my that the crisp fall days with my 2 moms will never be replicated. Those days are over and much of what I loved about college football are gone. Even the crisp fall days are gone. So far we've had 4 blazing hot games and one windy rainy piece of shit. I even hate the "playoff". The big 10/Pac-10/8 Rose bowl was seriously special. So much of what made me gravitate to college football vs the NFL has been eroded to the point my enthusiasm for it is at an all time low. If UW were a decent program I'd have a bit more fun, but it's so much more than that. I'm not even really talking about UW,just the NCAA game in general. And if I have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand.
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agree with all that, but stopped reading at the band stuff. everybody hated band kids in high school and I presume they're just as annoying in college.TheGlove said:To Whom It May Concern:
I came away from the football game versus Arizona State more upset than after any game in the past eight years. Was I disappointed with the loss? Of course, but that’s not what made me angry. Instead, I’m upset about the “Our Tradition” campaign blaring across the video screens throughout the game. This latest attempt to elicit passion and boost fan support for the currently mediocre brand of Husky Football is misguided, and frankly, insulting.
The traditions displayed on the video board during these segments included images of a retired Captain Husky and UW Rose Bowl wins in the distant past. These “traditions,” as the department likes to bill them, don’t even exist in the current state of Husky Football, so the message behind them feels empty. However, the real issue relates to the bigger picture: You tout “our traditions,” but it’s been apparent that UW Athletics is more interested in selling traditions off one by one rather than maintaining them.
After several decades, the Husky Marching Band is suddenly no longer playing the national anthem. All because the current singer’s friends donated money for the new stadium sound system and demanded he get a solo gig. Yes, someone’s actually paying to specifically discontinue one of Husky Stadium’s longest-standing and proudest traditions.
The band also plays at maybe half of the rate they used to in the stands throughout the game, preempted by canned music, sponsorship opportunities, and now even movie trailers. More commercials equal more revenue for UW Athletics, but once again Our Tradition suffers.
The Zone consistently empties the stadium at halftime and well into the third quarter. Our once-vaunted home-field advantage has crumbled (something ESPN’s commentators alluded to during Saturday’s broadcast). Why is the Zone there? In part to reap the benefits of additional revenues earned from concessionaires.
Even a tradition as basic as the “Go! Huskies!” chant has dissolved because the student section was moved. Why were they moved? $$$$.
The tradition of wearing purple and gold uniforms by the football team has largely disappeared in today’s era of Oregon-style jersey transformations. Sure, the athletes love this, but it’s largely driven by your partnership with Nike. Again, every trail leads back to revenues and profits.
The fact is that Husky Football traditions are fading. Many of them are being sacrificed for financial gains and now the athletic department has proven that it is willing to literally sell them off (in the case of the national anthem). So stop insulting our intelligence by showing outdated imagery representing beloved traditions that you have little interest in maintaining!
To add insult to insult, the mercenary behind the mic completely ignored Saturday’s Moment of Silence for Marysville-Pilchuck High School, immediately launching into the national anthem. This disgraceful act, combined with his awkward rendition (which fans can’t even sing along to), makes your “investment” in him look worse and worse every week. But at least the new sound system is working well so we can hear more commercials with even better clarity.
I am not a doddering half-century season-ticket holder who fears change. But I am a lifelong Husky who has been through the extreme highs and the lows of our shared football history. I have represented UW Athletics on the field and Husky Nation in the stands for decades. I understand what Husky tradition means, as do tens of thousands of other dedicated fans, supporters and donors. Please: stop insulting us with meaningless propaganda and instead start showing us that you understand and care about preserving Husky Tradition.
Can you find ways to make your money without completely discarding the identity that made us proud of all of our athletes, coaches and administrators all these years? Can you make Our Tradition meaningful? Prove it.
the band can go DIAFF. I'd support canned band music over the sound system. that would work. -
I'd be satisfied with Louie, Louie. Does the band now even know how to play that one?MikeDamone said:Bring back the track!
They should play "jump around" at the end of the 3rd quarter and see if that helps. -
our uniforms absolutely suck....everything about them sucks. the colors now suck, the fonts now suck, the urine snipe on the tip of the digits sucks... Woody needs to clean this crap up since he's in charge.
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Disagreecreepycoug said:
agree with all that, but stopped reading at the band stuff. everybody hated band kids in high school and I presume they're just as annoying in college.TheGlove said:To Whom It May Concern:
I came away from the football game versus Arizona State more upset than after any game in the past eight years. Was I disappointed with the loss? Of course, but that’s not what made me angry. Instead, I’m upset about the “Our Tradition” campaign blaring across the video screens throughout the game. This latest attempt to elicit passion and boost fan support for the currently mediocre brand of Husky Football is misguided, and frankly, insulting.
The traditions displayed on the video board during these segments included images of a retired Captain Husky and UW Rose Bowl wins in the distant past. These “traditions,” as the department likes to bill them, don’t even exist in the current state of Husky Football, so the message behind them feels empty. However, the real issue relates to the bigger picture: You tout “our traditions,” but it’s been apparent that UW Athletics is more interested in selling traditions off one by one rather than maintaining them.
After several decades, the Husky Marching Band is suddenly no longer playing the national anthem. All because the current singer’s friends donated money for the new stadium sound system and demanded he get a solo gig. Yes, someone’s actually paying to specifically discontinue one of Husky Stadium’s longest-standing and proudest traditions.
The band also plays at maybe half of the rate they used to in the stands throughout the game, preempted by canned music, sponsorship opportunities, and now even movie trailers. More commercials equal more revenue for UW Athletics, but once again Our Tradition suffers.
The Zone consistently empties the stadium at halftime and well into the third quarter. Our once-vaunted home-field advantage has crumbled (something ESPN’s commentators alluded to during Saturday’s broadcast). Why is the Zone there? In part to reap the benefits of additional revenues earned from concessionaires.
Even a tradition as basic as the “Go! Huskies!” chant has dissolved because the student section was moved. Why were they moved? $$$$.
The tradition of wearing purple and gold uniforms by the football team has largely disappeared in today’s era of Oregon-style jersey transformations. Sure, the athletes love this, but it’s largely driven by your partnership with Nike. Again, every trail leads back to revenues and profits.
The fact is that Husky Football traditions are fading. Many of them are being sacrificed for financial gains and now the athletic department has proven that it is willing to literally sell them off (in the case of the national anthem). So stop insulting our intelligence by showing outdated imagery representing beloved traditions that you have little interest in maintaining!
To add insult to insult, the mercenary behind the mic completely ignored Saturday’s Moment of Silence for Marysville-Pilchuck High School, immediately launching into the national anthem. This disgraceful act, combined with his awkward rendition (which fans can’t even sing along to), makes your “investment” in him look worse and worse every week. But at least the new sound system is working well so we can hear more commercials with even better clarity.
I am not a doddering half-century season-ticket holder who fears change. But I am a lifelong Husky who has been through the extreme highs and the lows of our shared football history. I have represented UW Athletics on the field and Husky Nation in the stands for decades. I understand what Husky tradition means, as do tens of thousands of other dedicated fans, supporters and donors. Please: stop insulting us with meaningless propaganda and instead start showing us that you understand and care about preserving Husky Tradition.
Can you find ways to make your money without completely discarding the identity that made us proud of all of our athletes, coaches and administrators all these years? Can you make Our Tradition meaningful? Prove it.
the band can go DIAFF. I'd support canned band music over the sound system. that would work. -
I'm totally onboard with everything in this letter....
As long as they don't get rid of the chubby white and asian girls taking concession selfies. Those self-deprecating, fat sorority girls epitomize everything that is great about college...bangin' sloots after a night of heavy drinking and buying them fast food. -
I could do without the playoffs, and I didn't like the BCS. Sure, polls deciding championships is weird, but it was a good weird and stoked the fires for the next season.MikeDamone said:It reminds my that the crisp fall days with my 2 moms will never be replicated. Those days are over and much of what I loved about college football are gone. Even the crisp fall days are gone. So far we've had 4 blazing hot games and one windy rainy piece of shit. I even hate the "playoff". The big 10/Pac-10/8 Rose bowl was seriously special. So much of what made me gravitate to college football vs the NFL has been eroded to the point my enthusiasm for it is at an all time low. If UW were a decent program I'd have a bit more fun, but it's so much more than that. I'm not even really talking about UW,just the NCAA game in general. And if I have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand.
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Max Waugh of Doogman wrote that letter.
Incredibly ironic given Doogman's repeated support of the Marinerization of Husky Football. -
Camel Bak or just bring a black garbage bag poncho in. You can hide anything under that.Rapeculturedawg said:Why don't people just figure out how to bring their booze into the stadium like true fans.. It isn't a difficult thing.
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bring an extra sweatshirt, wrap bottle in sweatshirt, carry in..PurpleJ said:
Camel Bak or just bring a black garbage bag poncho in. You can hide anything under that.Rapeculturedawg said:Why don't people just figure out how to bring their booze into the stadium like true fans.. It isn't a difficult thing.
Works every time
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Airplane bottles and soda are the way to enjoy Any sporting event.
That and a lot of popcorn -
Max Waugh is 40? I thought he was like 60 or 70.
Unless by "probabtion years" he means he was a student in the 50s. -
What he said.MikeDamone said:It reminds my that the crisp fall days with my 2 moms will never be replicated. Those days are over and much of what I loved about college football are gone. Even the crisp fall days are gone. So far we've had 4 blazing hot games and one windy rainy piece of shit. I even hate the "playoff". The big 10/Pac-10/8 Rose bowl was seriously special. So much of what made me gravitate to college football vs the NFL has been eroded to the point my enthusiasm for it is at an all time low. If UW were a decent program I'd have a bit more fun, but it's so much more than that. I'm not even really talking about UW,just the NCAA game in general. And if I have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand.
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MikeDamone said:
It reminds my that the crisp fall days with my 2 moms will never be replicated. Those days are over and much of what I loved about college football are gone. Even the crisp fall days are gone. So far we've had 4 blazing hot games and one windy rainy piece of shit. I even hate the "playoff". The big 10/Pac-10/8 Rose bowl was seriously special. So much of what made me gravitate to college football vs the NFL has been eroded to the point my enthusiasm for it is at an all time low. If UW were a decent program I'd have a bit more fun, but it's so much more than that. I'm not even really talking about UW,just the NCAA game in general. And if I have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand.
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Weirdest threesome ever.
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Here's a thought for you: Your tradition doesn't mean jack shit. Oregon doesn't have any tradition at all, according to everyone, and yet is consistently successful. Oregon has also sold its soul to Nike, and has been rewarded for doing so by the football gods. Keep your traditions. We'll keep the wins. 11 Straight. Fucking wiener dogs.
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Most of the band geeks in high school were annoying and it's probably the same for college (I was usually too busy for the gaymes). Still it's a good tradition and >>> canned autotuned crap pop musiccreepycoug said:
agree with all that, but stopped reading at the band stuff. everybody hated band kids in high school and I presume they're just as annoying in college.TheGlove said:To Whom It May Concern:
I came away from the football game versus Arizona State more upset than after any game in the past eight years. Was I disappointed with the loss? Of course, but that’s not what made me angry. Instead, I’m upset about the “Our Tradition” campaign blaring across the video screens throughout the game. This latest attempt to elicit passion and boost fan support for the currently mediocre brand of Husky Football is misguided, and frankly, insulting.
The traditions displayed on the video board during these segments included images of a retired Captain Husky and UW Rose Bowl wins in the distant past. These “traditions,” as the department likes to bill them, don’t even exist in the current state of Husky Football, so the message behind them feels empty. However, the real issue relates to the bigger picture: You tout “our traditions,” but it’s been apparent that UW Athletics is more interested in selling traditions off one by one rather than maintaining them.
After several decades, the Husky Marching Band is suddenly no longer playing the national anthem. All because the current singer’s friends donated money for the new stadium sound system and demanded he get a solo gig. Yes, someone’s actually paying to specifically discontinue one of Husky Stadium’s longest-standing and proudest traditions.
The band also plays at maybe half of the rate they used to in the stands throughout the game, preempted by canned music, sponsorship opportunities, and now even movie trailers. More commercials equal more revenue for UW Athletics, but once again Our Tradition suffers.
The Zone consistently empties the stadium at halftime and well into the third quarter. Our once-vaunted home-field advantage has crumbled (something ESPN’s commentators alluded to during Saturday’s broadcast). Why is the Zone there? In part to reap the benefits of additional revenues earned from concessionaires.
Even a tradition as basic as the “Go! Huskies!” chant has dissolved because the student section was moved. Why were they moved? $$$$.
The tradition of wearing purple and gold uniforms by the football team has largely disappeared in today’s era of Oregon-style jersey transformations. Sure, the athletes love this, but it’s largely driven by your partnership with Nike. Again, every trail leads back to revenues and profits.
The fact is that Husky Football traditions are fading. Many of them are being sacrificed for financial gains and now the athletic department has proven that it is willing to literally sell them off (in the case of the national anthem). So stop insulting our intelligence by showing outdated imagery representing beloved traditions that you have little interest in maintaining!
To add insult to insult, the mercenary behind the mic completely ignored Saturday’s Moment of Silence for Marysville-Pilchuck High School, immediately launching into the national anthem. This disgraceful act, combined with his awkward rendition (which fans can’t even sing along to), makes your “investment” in him look worse and worse every week. But at least the new sound system is working well so we can hear more commercials with even better clarity.
I am not a doddering half-century season-ticket holder who fears change. But I am a lifelong Husky who has been through the extreme highs and the lows of our shared football history. I have represented UW Athletics on the field and Husky Nation in the stands for decades. I understand what Husky tradition means, as do tens of thousands of other dedicated fans, supporters and donors. Please: stop insulting us with meaningless propaganda and instead start showing us that you understand and care about preserving Husky Tradition.
Can you find ways to make your money without completely discarding the identity that made us proud of all of our athletes, coaches and administrators all these years? Can you make Our Tradition meaningful? Prove it.
the band can go DIAFF. I'd support canned band music over the sound system. that would work. -
I'll bite.oregonblitzkrieg said:Here's a thought for you: Your tradition doesn't mean jack shit. Oregon doesn't have any tradition at all, according to everyone, and yet is consistently successful. Oregon has also sold its soul to Nike, and has been rewarded for doing so by the football gods. Keep your traditions. We'll keep the wins. 11 Straight. Fucking wiener dogs.
Oregon never had a soul, and if it did, all you got in return was a single Rose Bowl win.
Anyways, it isn't really about the tradition. It isn't really about the pageantry or the "experience" either. It's about winning in the end, and having a loud fucking stadium helps with that. "Our tradition" is having a winning program. Why do we want students on the 50? Is it so we can have "Go Huskies" as a tradition? No. It's because the students are the future season ticket holders and we want them to have the best experience at the games so that they will feel compelled to take the money earned in their future endeavors and invest it back in the program. The program being successful feeds into that, like a good version of a vicious cycle. Now, I know the students didn't feel that pull when our program sucked for the last decade or so. And I know that none of the fancy asian imports or Cali kids give a shit, because I was in the student section while Sark was here. But, if we had never let the program take a backseat to promoting the illusion of our academics being anything more than an above-average state school, the funding of the renovation would have taken care of itself. Instead, we let the agenda of upper-campus take hold and were forced to sell out in order to make a lame attempt at fooling the fan base into thinking we give a shit again. Luckily, we have an actual coach now, and winning can cure everything. But if Pete can't do it, I think we might be permanently fucked. Simply put, the Malcolm Gladwell politicians that have taken over UW do not give a shit about football or what it means to the school. In fact, they oppose it. It will be the same way at Oregon when Phil is gone, and the same way it is at most faggot Pac-12 schools.
I guess I'd just rather hear a good marching band and have a real college atmosphere, and hopefully a little abundance with a great coach that will stay and compete for national championships. I think that would help build a the fan base for the future, because winning is why we ever had one in the first place. You know, like my Crimson Tide. -
The Chevron car races are super cute, though. I bet the kids love em.
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PurpleJ said:
I'll bite.oregonblitzkrieg said:Here's a thought for you: Your tradition doesn't mean jack shit. Oregon doesn't have any tradition at all, according to everyone, and yet is consistently successful. Oregon has also sold its soul to Nike, and has been rewarded for doing so by the football gods. Keep your traditions. We'll keep the wins. 11 Straight. Fucking wiener dogs.
Oregon never had a soul, and if it did, all you got in return was a single Rose Bowl win.
Anyways, it isn't really about the tradition. It isn't really about the pageantry or the "experience" either. It's about winning in the end, and having a loud fucking stadium helps with that. "Our tradition" is having a winning program. Why do we want students on the 50? Is it so we can have "Go Huskies" as a tradition? No. It's because the students are the future season ticket holders and we want them to have the best experience at the games so that they will feel compelled to take the money earned in their future endeavors and invest it back in the program. The program being successful feeds into that, like a good version of a vicious cycle. Now, I know the students didn't feel that pull when our program sucked for the last decade or so. And I know that none of the fancy asian imports or Cali kids give a shit, because I was in the student section while Sark was here. But, if we had never let the program take a backseat to promoting the illusion of our academics being anything more than an above-average state school, the funding of the renovation would have taken care of itself. Instead, we let the agenda of upper-campus take hold and were forced to sell out in order to make a lame attempt at fooling the fan base into thinking we give a shit again. Luckily, we have an actual coach now, and winning can cure everything. But if Pete can't do it, I think we might be permanently fucked. Simply put, the Malcolm Gladwell politicians that have taken over UW do not give a shit about football or what it means to the school. In fact, they oppose it. It will be the same way at Oregon when Phil is gone, and the same way it is at most faggot Pac-12 schools.
I guess I'd just rather hear a good marching band and have a real college atmosphere, and hopefully a little abundance with a great coach that will stay and compete for national championships. I think that would help build a the fan base for the future, because winning is why we ever had one in the first place. You know, like my Crimson Tide.
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Cool letter -- saw it in the Seattle Times as well.
But now I'm more confused than normal. I that you were an OSU fan? Maybe I'm drunk.
