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Travel Report - Husky Stadium

dio

Admin
Club Member
Junta Member
Well, today was sucky.

Flew into Seattle late on Thursday, and stayed with my brother in Sammamish. Been here a million times so wasn't out and about too much, but Friday we went to lunch down near Pikes. Turns out the CU cheerleaders were at the same restaurant. Also, lots and lots of CU gear out and about downtown - which I suppose is to be expected the day before a game.

Friday night I went to Everett to watch a WHL hockey game. Got to see Avs first round pick Duncan Siemens playing for the Saskatoon Blades. He's good. Think Adam Foote style of play. Also had to put up with quite a bit of trash talk from some UW guys. It was mostly in good fun, and they tended to STFU when I brought up their 0 - 12 year... at that point they sympathized with us. They were all pretty excited about the changes to the Pac.

Gameday today. Unfortunately, couldn't really find anything organized going on. I ended up taking a Park n Ride shuttle to the game with my brother. We were pretty much clueless on where to go, so we ended up in the stadium far earlier than I liked. Didn't get to experience the tailgating scene first hand, but from what I could see, it lacked character. In fact, that could describe almost everything that I felt on gameday. There isn't a fun campus vibe like you get at and around Folsom on gameday. It feels a little more NFL, and a little less college.

Fans pretty much treated all the CU folks as invisible. They weren't mean or rude - but for the most part they didn't go out of their way to be nice or cordial either. It probably helps that they (like all the Pac teams now) see us as a doormat, so we don't inspire much emotion outside of pity.

The stadium has one thing going for it - it gets loud very easily. Their fans did a good job contributing to that. Stadium was mostly full, and their fans were into the game the whole time. Almost all of them stayed to the very end.

The stadium itself is trash. Rusting steel, chainlink fences, cracked and crumbling concrete, ancient wood benches, narrow aisles..... a real dump IMO. I was right at the bottom of the visitor section in 4, about 15 rows up or so, and the seats were terrible. It was basically impossible to figure out what was going on when watching the game live. One of the reasons for this is because of the obnoxious track that goes around their field. The entire crowd is completely removed from the action, and it is even worse for the visitors who have to sit waaaayyyy behind the endzone. The other issue is that because of the track, and because of drainage design, when you're sitting about as low as I was, your viewpoint isn't that far up from the field itself. This make it difficult to have any depth of vision with the game, and thus it was hard to follow the game.

As I said, their crowd did a good job of getting into it. They had some nice loud cheers - although nothing particularly original. Some obnoxious things were their hand gyrations. I think all the school gang signs are lame, but theirs was particularly bad. I couldn't figure out what they were doing half the time - it looked like they were doing a rendition of itsy-bitsy spider. Also the barking dog stuff was super lame. I'm sure our UW posters love it, but from my perspective it was stupid to a) pipe in a sound loop of a barking dog and b) to bark like a dog after big plays. Just IMO there. Also lame was the giant helmet that they have driving around the track while the game is going on. WTF

Their dog mascot was pretty cool, but they didn't do anything with it. It looked to me like it might have had some hip problems, as it walked very stiffly, so maybe that contributed to it.

They had lots of hot cheerleaders and students. Very good talent. In fact, their cheerleaders were hotter than ours almost across the board - which isn't too exciting since most of our talent is found on the dance squad IIRC. But, regardless, good eye candy.

Kind of annoyed me that during half time that some of their band and cheerleaders came over to our band and cheerleaders and gave them snacks and ****. Nice gesture by them, but we were getting our ass handed to us, and I'm tired of everyone being all nice and friendly when they're raping us. I wish someone at CU would get mad.

Our band does put out a lot of noise, even when they're just a small contingent. Unfortunately they, and our cheerleaders, were mostly disinterested. Chip wandered around and was amusing, but again, not interested in the game really.

I was looking forward to a big CU contingent based upon how well it sounded like we've traveled to some of the other games (Cal, Hawaii, Stan) - but ended up pretty disappointed in the turnout. I don't know how many we had, but it wasn't much. The CU crowd (including me) was also disinterested. Of course it didn't help that they scored a TD on 5 straight possessions. We got up and cheered every once in awhile for big plays, but it was a pretty quiet for the most part. The biggest cheer from our sections came when we stopped them for a punt in the second half. That got a loud, sarcastic standing ovation.

Now, I don't go to many road games, but the other thing that irked me was that our section got zero attention from the players and coaches. Maybe this is an unrealistic expectation, but we didn't even get a GLANCE from anyone the entire game. Not when they came out at the start, not before our after half-time, and not after the game. Not a wave, nothing to pump us up - nothing. When you watch visiting teams and Folsom, you will notice that the visiting players often get really involved with their section. Yes, the crappy layout of Husky stadium had an affect on that today, but we got no acknowledgement from the team - pretty lame considering we all paid large sums of cash to watch them **** down their leg again.

I also now see why we can't win a road game. I've seen the Buffs come play scared in a few road games. They weren't scared today, they were dead. They had no energy, no urgency, to passion. It seemed like they felt the game was hopeless from the second they stepped on the field. They didn't care. It seemed to me that they just wanted to get back on the plane and head home. Harsh, I know - but there was pretty much no pride out there today.

They looked like a team that had already played Ohio State, Hawaii, and Stanford on the road. They looked like a team that had 2 gut-wrenching losses at home. They are worn down physically and mentally. They've only played TWO ****ING GAMES in the confines of Folsom. TWO. They are on planes and buses every week playing top notch competition. They badly need a break, and they aren't going to get one this season. It is going to get ugly. Cash or no-cash, nice scheduling Bohn.

I gathered all of this from their body language. For example. UW runs out on the field, and they run off the field. CU walks out on the field, and walks off of the field. I've never seen a team with heads hung so low as I did when they walked off the field at 1/2. I'm concerned that Embo has lost them for the season already.

Anyway, it was a depressing day. The silver-lining was the fact that we are so completely irrelevant to our new conference foes that no one bothered talking smack to us after the game.

Here are my ultimate conclusions from today
1) Buffs are terrbile
2) UW has a really nice offense
3) Gameday experience at UW is meh
4) Mike Bohn should be fired. Thanks for getting the house in order and getting us to the Pac, but you haven't built competitive athletic programs. Time for you to go.
 
i think the lack of energy and lack of confidence are one and the same. this team needs to catch a few lucky breaks in the first quarter of a road game to have any chance of winning. once they fall behind it's effectively over.
 
Nice job on the game report. I'm surprised to hear that the gameday experience up there wasn't that great. That's also surprising and disappointing that the team didn't acknowledge our fans. Even though we were getting our ass kicked you'd at least expect the players to get their fans fired up before the game and when they first take the field. I thought we'd have a better crowd up there but it's sounding like our only real good road crowds will be at the 4 Cali schools and probably ASU too.
 
nice post dio... thanks! sorry you had to spend hard earned cash on that. hopefully you spending time with your brother made up for it. He a Buff fan? yea this is going to be a very long season! i do not even see this team getting that 1 signature win that hawks teams provided... not looking good guys - someone mentioned a visit from a voodoo dr? out of realistic suggestions at this point... eeerrrrgggg..........
 
The gameday experience isnt awful, but i didnt care for its style. I am sure the uw fans would disagree.

They do have boat tailgaring, which looked like fun and is unique, but i didnt get to experience.

Seeing my bro was the primary purpose of the visit. He went to cu in the mid 90s, but stopped following the team around 2004. Despite the terrivle game, going to a cu game for the first time in over a decade really ignited his interest, and he spent the rest of the night talking about the program.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
 
Kind of annoyed me that during half time that some of their band and cheerleaders came over to our band and cheerleaders and gave them snacks and ****. Nice gesture by them, but we were getting our ass handed to us, and I'm tired of everyone being all nice and friendly when they're raping us. I wish someone at CU would get mad.

Our band does put out a lot of noise, even when they're just a small contingent. Unfortunately they, and our cheerleaders, were mostly disinterested. Chip wandered around and was amusing, but again, not interested in the game really.

This happens at every away game. It's usually the home teams music fraternity coming over to say hello and be courteous guests. It wasn't for the pity party. It does tend to annoy me too. Most of the time though they are nice there is absolutely no talk about football. A lot of the kids in band IMO don't really care about football. That changes from year to year but mostly the case. Sometimes the opposing bands are cool and fun to talk to but there are a few that think they are too cool and like to rub it in. I'm guessing that washington was not that way though from the limited contact I've had with their alumni.

I'm glad you had a good time. Seattle is a fun place. I'd like to get there for a road game. I'm not sure I'll be going to many more unless they are in my backyard.
 
You missed the boat! (ha!)

Sound to me like you completely avoided all of the festivities before and after the game that would have made it fun for you. No wonder you had a bad time, you should have gone to the tailgates. We are always voted near the top of the PAC and the country for tailgating. You also could have checked out The Zone.


This is what you missed out on: great food, great drinking games, great people:

http://taylortakesataste.com/tailgating-and-sailgating-on-the-west-coast/
 
With the new TV contract that we have going are we going to take the band and cheerleaders for every away game? That'd be awesome.
 
4) Mike Bohn should be fired. Thanks for getting the house in order and getting us to the Pac, but you haven't built competitive athletic programs. Time for you to go.

Basketball is looking like it's definitely headed on the right track under Boyle. I'd say they look very competitive. So either you still want him fired for the Hawk hire, or already think he should be fired for the Embree hire?
 
Our stadium is a great one...old--yes, it's over 80 years old. However, after the game on November 5th, renovation starts. In case you want to check out the new Husky Stadium will look like in 2013. Here is a link: www.huskystadium.com It's pretty cool.

Colorado fans, keep supporting your team. We've had our bad times too...but, do keep supporting your team. I wish you Buffs all the best the rest of the way.
 
Basketball is looking like it's definitely headed on the right track under Boyle. I'd say they look very competitive. So either you still want him fired for the Hawk hire, or already think he should be fired for the Embree hire?

I agree, basketball was very competitive last year and Boyle is now bringing in one of the top classes in CU history. It's too early to tell for Embree. It's not time to jump off a ship
 
Our stadium is a great one...old--yes, it's over 80 years old. However, after the game on November 5th, renovation starts. In case you want to check out the new Husky Stadium will look like in 2013. Here is a link: www.huskystadium.com It's pretty cool.

Colorado fans, keep supporting your team. We've had our bad times too...but, do keep supporting your team. I wish you Buffs all the best the rest of the way.

That renovation will be a good thing...I grew up out there and there hasn't been many upgrades since I moved away. Those wooden seats are just ridiculous.
I've been to about two dozen stadiums in my time, and outside of Folsom, can't beat a better environment than Husky Stadium. Hope UW can keep winning (except against CU), and we can get back to our old ways!
 
Sound to me like you completely avoided all of the festivities before and after the game that would have made it fun for you. No wonder you had a bad time, you should have gone to the tailgates. We are always voted near the top of the PAC and the country for tailgating. You also could have checked out The Zone.


This is what you missed out on: great food, great drinking games, great people:

http://taylortakesataste.com/tailgating-and-sailgating-on-the-west-coast/

Maybe. I prefer a more college experience. Husky stadium and UW are part of a large metropolitan area however, and thus there isnt an on campus feel. I like how CU tailgating is mostly nestled into the gorgeous campus, as is the stadium. It has a very organic field.

UW tailgating is more the experience you find when tailgating for the cu v csu game.
 
Basketball is looking like it's definitely headed on the right track under Boyle. I'd say they look very competitive. So either you still want him fired for the Hawk hire, or already think he should be fired for the Embree hire?

That is the one sport, and considering his track record in nearly all the other sports, that one feels more like luck. Too early to tell with embo.

Do you really thin bohn has what it takes to get us to the top? I dont
 
Do you really thin bohn has what it takes to get us to the top? I dont

Here's what you have to understand about Mike Bohn: Winning isn't his primary focus. His primary focus is on generating revenue.
 
That renovation will be a good thing...I grew up out there and there hasn't been many upgrades since I moved away. Those wooden seats are just ridiculous.
I've been to about two dozen stadiums in my time, and outside of Folsom, can't beat a better environment than Husky Stadium. Hope UW can keep winning (except against CU), and we can get back to our old ways!

How can you have a good environment when the very closest seat in the stadium is 75 yards from the sideline?
 
How can you have a good environment when the very closest seat in the stadium is 75 yards from the sideline?

Before the Willingham-error saw us lose thousands of season ticket holders, Husky Stadium when full could be as loud as any stadium in the country, despite the horrible track.

One of the best things about the stadium upgrade is that the track will be gone. There is now a big purple stripe on the track to show you where the new seats will be if you noticed it while watching the game...

(and the wooden seats will be gone)

NEW STADIUM LINK

 
Being there for the second time, it never ceases to amaze me how loud that place can get for being so far away from the field - it will be frightening when it gets closed in, will easily become on of the toughest places to play in the Pac-12.

Experience was a lot like dio re: then again we didn't get a chance to tailgate at all as the youngest had a game at 10 which we pulled him at halftime to catch the ferry to get to the game midway through the first quarter. Then Ms. NB96, mom and the twins left at start of the fourth to get to the twins game. (oh - all the kids' teams lost too - really ****** day for footbal in the NB96 household)

A couple of bad fan experiences for us - walking out of the stadium walk past some woman who then goes "Oooh, don't feel bad, we're sorry Colorado." I wheel around about ready to give her a "We don't need your f'in pity! Wait for two years and we'll have revenge." But then I see she had 3 littel ones with her and I was walking with youngest NB96. Realized I guess I finally grew up.

Second one I wish I had been there for - my parents and sister are walking with the kids (all decked out in Alfred jerseys) to the stadium and some 17 year old yells "F**K Colorado!" right at my kids. Guess it didn't faze them as they were excited to get to the game and didn't hear it, but if I had been there, wouldn't have mattered I was a 35 (+3 more 35 BD's) father, that little ****head would have got a piece of my mind.

Overall - meh at the stadium, but always like looking out at Lake Washington. Rivals the view of the Flatirons from the east side.
 
That is the one sport, and considering his track record in nearly all the other sports, that one feels more like luck. Too early to tell with embo.

Do you really thin bohn has what it takes to get us to the top? I dont

I'm starting to agree with this. I obviously expected most athletic programs to struggle in the transition to the Pac, but between football, volleyball and women's soccer we have literally not won a league game. That's not acceptable. This is Bohn's sixth year, and overall, our athletics program is miserable...virtually across the board save for a couple sports. Sure both men's and women's basketball look to be on the upswing, but it's still far too early to tell. We're all impressed with what Boyle did last year, but last year was hardly a complete indicator of what level of success the Boyle regime will ultimately have.
 
I'm starting to agree with this. I obviously expected most athletic programs to struggle in the transition to the Pac, but between football, volleyball and women's soccer we have literally not won a league game. That's not acceptable. This is Bohn's sixth year, and overall, our athletics program is miserable...virtually across the board save for a couple sports. Sure both men's and women's basketball look to be on the upswing, but it's still far too early to tell. We're all impressed with what Boyle did last year, but last year was hardly a complete indicator of what level of success the Boyle regime will ultimately have.

Hold the phone a second. These sports were mediocre at best in the Big 12 and now we're in a conference that lives for their women's and Olympic sports - disappointing? yes. But to jump the shark on Bohn due to SERIOUS upgrade in talent in these sports compared to the Big 12 is going a little too far right now. Kinda like football, I think waiting a couple of years to see if the talent we bring in upgrades may be worth a try.
 
...... Sure both men's and women's basketball look to be on the upswing, but it's still far too early to tell. We're all impressed with what Boyle did last year, but last year was hardly a complete indicator of what level of success the Boyle regime will ultimately have.
Right now we have a real possibility that CU will have 3 of their 2012 recruiting classes ranked in the top 25 for their sports .... VB, MBB and WBB. Even if one or more don't end up in the final top 25, they still will be near that level. And that is far superior to anything we have seen in these sports in recent years. Much as we as fans don't like it, it takes time to turn these things around. In many of the recruiting things I've read, there have been kids picking favorite programs in their sophomore years of high school. It takes a lot for a new-on-the-scene coach to reach that type of kid. And we are now seeing the fruits of coaches making and building contacts.... Kritza now in her third season so she could have been looking at these 2012 players since they were sophs; Boyle has had the Colorado connections from his time at UNC; Lappe has made some serious inroads in only her first full recruiting season.
 
Here's what you have to understand about Mike Bohn: Winning isn't his primary focus. His primary focus is on generating revenue.

As a fan I'd have to say that's completely ****ed up! I understand money matters, but w/o wins, the money will always eventually dry up, because no one will follow losers forever.
 
Before the Willingham-error saw us lose thousands of season ticket holders, Husky Stadium when full could be as loud as any stadium in the country, despite the horrible track.

One of the best things about the stadium upgrade is that the track will be gone. There is now a big purple stripe on the track to show you where the new seats will be if you noticed it while watching the game...

(and the wooden seats will be gone)

NEW STADIUM LINK


That will help A LOT. Below are some of the pictures I took

General stadium shots

295786_10100435002054293_10211605_55366044_1291190723_n.jpg


319153_10100435002408583_10211605_55366055_1085893087_n.jpg


298980_10100435002797803_10211605_55366062_1027124057_n.jpg


303880_10100435003102193_10211605_55366068_1984139083_n.jpg



 
308693_10100435003266863_10211605_55366072_2090830627_n.jpg


A zoomed in camera shot from my seats - about 15 rows up:

316276_10100435003581233_10211605_55366079_1565588116_n.jpg


Their cheerleaders bringing us pity snacks.... UW has hideous cheer uniforms btw.

310911_10100435003845703_10211605_55366084_56083362_n.jpg


And their band doing the same

306421_10100435004374643_10211605_55366088_2008579963_n.jpg
 
Here are my ultimate conclusions from today
1) Buffs are terrbile
2) UW has a really nice offense
3) Gameday experience at UW is meh
4) Mike Bohn should be fired. Thanks for getting the house in order and getting us to the Pac, but you haven't built competitive athletic programs. Time for you to go.

:thumbsup:
 
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Maybe. I prefer a more college experience. Husky stadium and UW are part of a large metropolitan area however, and thus there isnt an on campus feel. I like how CU tailgating is mostly nestled into the gorgeous campus, as is the stadium. It has a very organic field.

UW tailgating is more the experience you find when tailgating for the cu v csu game.



Husky Stadium is on campus.

You didn't go to the main tailgates, so how do you know what the "feel" of it was?

You missed out and I think you are passing judgement on an experience you did not experience.
 
What are the 'main tailgates'?

I'm sorry that you're butthurt that I didn't think the UW experience was amazing. It wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't anything to write home about.

I know the stadium is 'on-campus' - but because UW is nestled into a major metropolitan area, it doesn't have that contained campus feel. The stadium doesn't have a contained campus feel. It has a great view and it is fun that it is right on the water - but it doesn't have a college atmosphere for tailgating IMO. I'm sure you love and and all your Dawg friends love it too. I don't blame you, I'm sure you have some great memories and have some great times. Don't get all bent out of shape because a visiting fan isn't overly impressed and prefers something a little different when posting his travel review on a Buffs website.

I also mentioned a few times that I didn't get to do the unique 'sailgating' which looks cool - but I'm not sure how many people realistically get involved with that. Beyond that I didn't think the tailgating lots that I walked through had much character. If you go to CU for a game you will see what I mean, as many of the tailgating spots are right in the midst of a premier college campus. It gives a different collegiate and celebratory atmosphere. I'm sure that some opposing fans wouldn't like it - but it is what I prefer.
 
I have a ton of pics that I will post as soon as I get them off the camera. Great write up dio, sorry we couldn't meet up.
 
Being there for the second time, it never ceases to amaze me how loud that place can get for being so far away from the field .
It's 100% about the overhang covering the seats. Noise reflected back, simple physics. Actually, it probably feeds on itself--fans hear that they're loud, and then they step it up. What other stadium has this? This is euro soccer style.
 
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