Seattle is the home of the Space Needle, the first Starbucks and the fictional world of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
It is also home to the University of Washington, where Arizona football will play this weekend.
Seattle has the nickname “The Rainy City,” although its total yearly rainfall is less than New York City’s. The truth is, Seattle averages only 56 sunny days a year — it’s almost always cloudy.
Coincidentally, the National Weather Service says there is a 100 percent chance of rain on Saturday.
Besides the inevitable precipitation, the Wildcats will also have to conquer the noise level at Husky Stadium, something that Washington is famous for.
Husky Stadium currently holds the record for hosting the loudest game, which was set in 1992 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and clocked in at a whopping 135 decibels. This happened during the Huskies’ NCAA national championship reign; they won back-to-back championships in 1990 and 1991.
Because of the remodeling of the stadium, the noise level will most certainly be high this weekend. The track surrounding the field was removed, which brings fans closer to the action.
But noise isn’t the only thing the fans at U-Dub are famous for.
The “wave” that occurs at sporting events everywhere originated at the University of Washington. In 1981, Robb Weller, a former UW yell leader, and Bill Bissell, the Husky Marching Band director, came up with the idea. Now the wave happens not only at football games but baseball and soccer — and all over the world.
Some other inventions that come from UW? Bubble gum, vinyl, synthetic rubber and the color television.
In 1922, Washington officially adopted the husky as its mascot. Originally, the team was known as the “Sun Dodgers,” which clearly did not suit it well. In 1921, it tried being the “Vikings,” but that was short-lived, and the Huskies live on today.
The Huskies have an accomplished football history. They have won 15 conference championships, seven Rose Bowls and four NCAA national championships. They hold the record for the second-longest winning streak in the NCAA with 39 wins in a row.
Football aside, Washington has some interesting quirks.
In 1929, the school president at the time, Matthew Lyle Spencer, banned kissing on campus after he saw students “spooning” in a grassy area on campus.
Washington also has some interesting alumni. Hope Solo, goalkeeper for the Olympic gold medal winning USA women’s soccer team, played for the Huskies. Bruce Lee, martial arts master, also attended the school — along with Rainn Wilson, better known as Dwight Schrute from “The Office.”
— Follow Scarlett McCourt @scarlettnoelani
