The evolution of Husky Stadium

The new south grandstand is shown under construction in 1950. (SEATTLE TIMES FILE)
1920

Dartmouth defeated Washington 28-7 on Nov. 27, the first game played at Husky Stadium. Built at a cost of $600,000, initial seating capacity was 30,000. The stadium was strategically located "to avoid as far as possible the glare of the sun in the stadium for the benefit of the players," and to take advantage of the best views of the lake and mountains. About 230,000 cubic yards of earth was moved to build the stands and four-lane track. A "sunken passage" — the moat that still exists today — was built to separate the fans from the field and provide drainage. The aisles were planned so a capacity crowd could exit the stadium in seven minutes. Original plans called for a 60,000-seat stadium with Gothic spires at the west end of the stadium.

1936

An additional 10,000 above-grade seats were added, bringing capacity to 40,000.

1950

The south upper deck, at a cost of $1.7 million, added an additional 15,000 seats. The cantilevered steel roof covered most of the seats in the upper deck, and about 6,000 seats in the lower stands. The project also included a two-level press box and camera-deck areas, 165 feet above the stadium floor.

1968

Stadium capacity increased to more than 59,000 when 3,000 seats were added to the north rim and bleachers were installed behind the east end zone. Washington also became the first major college to install AstroTurf in 1968. At the time, the Houston Astrodome was the only other stadium to use the playing surface. An all-weather track was also installed around the playing field the same year.

1987

The 13,000-seat north upper deck was added. The $13 million project brought capacity to 72,500. A portion of the upper deck collapsed on Feb. 25. Miraculously, no one was hurt when the steel structure crumbled, and the project was completed in time for the Huskies' season opener against Stanford on Sept. 5.

1989

In preparation for the 1990 Goodwill Games, a new eight-lane, synthetic-surface track was installed.

1998

Enlarged Husky Tron scoreboard was installed for the 1998 season.

2000

FieldTurf was installed to replace the AstroTurf. FieldTurf was paid for by Seahawks owner Paul Allen in anticipation of the Hawks' two-year stay at Husky Stadium.