Journalism 305 Final Paper
Julia Connacher
University of Washington will host the 2011 Apple Cup at Quest Field.
Moving the location of Apple Cup will allow UW to get a three-week early start on the Husky Stadium renovations.
As well as saving the school $3 million in labor and other costs, said Scott Woodward, Washington athletic director.
The game will be a UW home game and WSU will get only the same percentage of tickets that would normally be given for an Apple Cup at Husky Stadium, said Shawn Deeds, WSU Coordinator of Football Operations.
That means the pricing structure might be different from a normal UW game, and wont be included in UW season-ticket packages for 2011.
However, UW officials said season holders will have priority on buying tickets for Apple Cup. One potential hitch is that Pac-10 scheduling changes that arise from adding Utah and Colorado could change the date of the 2011 Apple Cup, along with other aspects of Washington State’s schedule.
Washington State and Washington were discussing the possibility of moving Apple Cup to the Seahawks’ home field in 2009.
An agreement was near and both schools would be guaranteed about $2 million per year from it. Compared to $800,000 apiece when the teams play at Husky Stadium and some $240,000 when they meet in Pullman.
The game had been played at home sites since 1980, the last of 13 consecutive times the Cougars “hosted” Washington in Spokane, said Deeds.
In 1982, after strong efforts from WSU athletic director Sam Jankovich and football coach Jim Walden, the Cougars’ home game returned to Pullman.
That year produced one of the memorable upsets in Apple Cup history, WSU’s 24-20 victory.
The Boeing Company has sponsored the game since 2007 as part of a four-year deal.
However, some WSU students aren’t very happy about the Apple Cup being played in Seahawks’ home stadium in Seattle.
“The Apple Cup is something that everyone looks forward to every year and it is such a big deal,” said Cassie MacLean, a junior at WSU. “It just wouldn’t be the same and have the same atmosphere if it were played somewhere else other than Martin or Husky Stadium.”
It is such a big tradition that has gone on for years now and it would be sad to see it change and become something else, said MacLean.
On the other hand, some WSU students are excited to have Apple Cup at Quest Field.
“Having Apple Cup at Quest Field will be a great experience and the energy from all the fans in the stands will be amazing,” said Anthony Martinez, Senior WSU football player.
Since Apple Cup is such a big event, having it hosted at Quest Field next year seems like a good place, but I wouldn’t want it to be permanent, said Martinez.
The move has nothing to do with negotiations between UW and WSU a few years ago to move the Apple Cup to Qwest Field on a yearly basis.
SOURCES:
Shawn Deeds- WSU Coordinator of Football Operations
- Phone Number: (509) 335-0206
- E-mail: Shawn_deeds@wsu.edu
Anthony Martinez- WSU Football Player
- Phone Number: 1 (951) 207-6968
Cassie MacLean- WSU Student (Junior)
- Phone Number (509) 209-1724
- E-mail: Jcmaclean@email.wsu.edu
BACKGROUND:
Shawn Deeds is in his 12th season as the Coordinator of Football Operations at Washington State University. His responsibilities include future scheduling, team travel arrangements, and the management of the football budget. Deeds also coordinates preseason camp and serves as assistant director of Cougar Football camp each year. He is a former quarterback for the Cougar Football team. During his senior season, Deeds suffered a shoulder injury on the fourth play of the game against Stanford, ending his football career. Deeds is a 1991 graduate of Kitsap High School, where he earned 10 varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball.
OUTLINE OF STORY:
What Happened?
a. Lede- University of Washington will host the 2011 Apple Cup at Quest Field.
b. Moving the location of Apple Cup will allow UW to get a three-week early start on the Husky Stadium renovations.
c. As well as saving the school $3 million in labor and other costs, said Washington athletic director Scott Woodward.
d. The game will be a UW home game and WSU will get only the same percentage of tickets that would normally be given for an Apple Cup at Husky Stadium, said Shawn Deeds, WSU Coordinator of Football Operations.
e. One potential hitch is that Pac-10 scheduling changes that arise from adding Utah and Colorado could change the date of the 2011 Apple Cup, along with other aspects of Washington State’s schedule.
Background:
a. Washington State and Washington were discussing the possibility of moving Apple Cup to the Seahawks’ home field in 2009.
b. An agreement was near and both schools would be guaranteed about $2 million per year from it.
c. Compared to $800,000 apiece when the teams play at Husky Stadium and some $240,000 when they meet in Pullman.
d. The game had been played at home sites since 1980, the last of 13 consecutive times the Cougars “hosted” Washington in Spokane, said Deeds.
e. In 1982, after strong efforts from WSU athletic director Sam Jankovich and football coach Jim Walden, the Cougars’ home game returned to Pullman.
f. That year produced one of the memorable upsets in Apple Cup history, WSU’s 24-20 victory.
g. The Boeing Company has sponsored the game since 2007 as part of a four-year deal.
How it Affects Others:
a. However, some WSU students aren’t very happy about the Apple Cup being played in Seattle at Quest Field.
b. “Quote from MacLean”
c. It is such a big tradition that has gone on for years now and it would be sad to see it change and become something else, said MacLean.
d. On the other hand, some WSU students are excited to have Apple Cup at Quest Field.
e. “Quote from Martinez”
f. Since Apple Cup is such a big event, having it hosted at Quest Field next year seems like a good place, but I wouldn’t want it to be permanent, said Martinez.
g. The move has nothing to do with negotiations between UW and WSU a few years ago to move the Apple Cup to Qwest Field on a yearly basis.
