Vol. 17, No. 15, October 11, 2004

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The Friday Program: All You Ever Wanted to Know About Husky Football, With Tom Porter

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October is Rotary’s Vocational Theme Month

BBRC Anniversary Dinner ... A Fancy Event

Oktoberfest!

20 Years & Counting With the Brothers Four

Friday Potpourri

Classification Talk: Michael McIntosh

Student of the Month: Winston Lofton

The Rotary Foundation: Doing What it Does Best

District 5030 Cops Top Awards for 2003-2004

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The Friday Program

All You Ever Wanted to Know About
Husky Football, With Tom Porter

Rotarians learned more about the University of Washington athletic records in 20 minutes than through any other program when Tom Porter came calling. Tom is a former bank executive, retired from Bank of America. He attended Rutgers University for his undergraduate degree, but then came west and began a love affair with Washington. He earned an MBA and PhD from the University of Washington and has written several books about the institution.

Tom brought with him his new book, produced with co-author Jim Daves. It’s called “Husky Stadium — Great Games and Golden Moments,” and is the focal point of game-day pageantry and colorful history of the Huskies. Broadcaster Bob Rondeau provides the introduction with forewards by former coaching greats Jim Owens and Don James. Pulitzer Prize-winner Robin Hood is credited with many stunning photographs. Porter pointed out that most of the proceeds will go to fund a scholarship endowment for UW student-athletes.

Porter launched into a rapid-fire early history of Husky football. The first team took the field in 1889. After a slow start, an appropriation of $28,000 purchased 580 acres for the original site of the school. Early games were played on Denny Field, site of today’s Husky Stadium.

Gil Dobie, the team’s coach from 1908 to 1916, was credited with creating fan support during his tenure. In 1919, Washington beat Cal 10-0 and over filled the field which gave impetus to building a new stadium It didn’t hurt that the Alaska-Yukon Exposition had been held on the campus which helped to create the early beginnings of the institution.

So, the interest was peaked in 1919. People believed in the need for a stadium, and the students supported the project. Construction started and was ready for the first game in 6 months. Tom points out the original Douglas fir seats are still utilized for those initial 30,000 seats. When completed, the stadium was the largest in the west at that time. It cost $565,000. One of the features for fans was seat licensing, the first of its kind. Initially, the site was called Washington Stadium.

President Warren Harding was on a tour of the west, having been to Alaska when he made what turned out to be his last speech in the stadium. Five days later, Mr. Harding passed away in San Francisco. Then, Clarence E. ‘Hec’ Edmondson, a “good old Idaho boy,” joined the Washington staff. He was an innovator. His specialty was track and field and coaching basketball. “So, lots of things have happened in the stadium since its inception.”

Porter then asked the audience join him in reviewing the Top 10 games played in the stadium over the years. “The criteria were that the game had to have been played in Husky Stadium, that it was an important game with high attention by the public, and, of course, the UW must win!”

Number Ten game was played in 1925. It featured the famous Ernie Nevers of Stanford. Both teams were unbeaten and the UW prevailed 13-0.

Number 9 was a game against the 1936 Cougars. The winner went to the Rose Bowl. Washington gagged the Cougs, 40-0.

Number 8. 1950 was the only season two of Washington’s most illustrious football players played togetherÉHugh McElhenny and Tom Heinrich.

Number 7. In 1960 Oregon had led throughout the game, up 6-0. In the last 3 minutes, with 95 yards to go, the Huskies moved down the field. Don McKeta goes out on a flat pass and scampered 47 yards to tie the score. George Fleming kicked the point ... 7-6.

Number 6 - Huskies won a barn-burner, 38-35!

Number 5 was 1977, Don James’ first season. USC came to town in November and the Huskies won, 28-10. The win earned them a trip to the Rose Bowl where they beat Michigan.

Number 4. 1981 ­ Cougars. 23-10

Number 3. 1990 ­ USC again.

Number 2. 1992 ­ Nebraska, beat the Cornhuskers for the first time ever.

2000 ... 34-29 ...

Tom was going so fast your humble reporter couldn’t even get out of the end zone! Whatever happened in 2000 was exciting, as indicated by the score. The Huskies are undefeated in these Top Ten games!!

A true Cathedral of Sports, the UW stadium has witnessed many great contests. The wins have resulted in participation in 30 post-season bowl games. The book is available for $45.00 per copy by calling toll free 877-446-3647.

For Tom Porter’s fine presentation, the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary has presented a gift of 1220 pounds of food through Rotary First Harvest to food banks in our area and all in the name of Tom.

Our thanks to Bob Holert for acquiring the program and making the introduction.

TOP

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