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WSU hears it about Apple Cup

Posted by Vince Grippi

April 16, 2009 8:04 p.m. • 12 comments

COUGARS

Well there’s been a day to let the news soak in. To organize. To try to influence the decision. And we had a day to talk with the WSU football players about the possibility of playing the Apple Cup in Qwest Field instead of Martin or Husky stadium. Read on for the unedited version of the story that features their responses, and some other comments.

••••••••••

• Here’s the story …

PULLMAN – The fallout Thursday from the news Washington State and the University of Washington were close to an agreement moving the Apple Cup to Qwest Field on a yearly basis settled on the state’s East Side like ash from Mount St. Helens.

It was deep, it was hard to move and everyone was talking about it.

Though nothing official has been agreed upon, or, for that matter, even officially talked about, the response from many WSU and UW fans was quick – and overwhelmingly negative.

A Spokesman-Review non-scientific on-line poll was running 85 percent against the idea. A Seattle Times survey attracted a majority who thought it was a bad idea. Comments on the papers’ and other websites were at least 3-to-1 on the negative side.

In a more concrete development, the Pullman Chamber of Commerce sent an open letter to WSU athletic director Jim Sterk, stating the group was “astounded at the idea of moving the Apple Cup game to Seattle for the next 6 years,” and urging Sterk take into account “the broader economic and psychological impacts of moving this game out of town.”

The letter, signed by chamber president Tom Handy and executive director Tammy Lewis, cited Apple Cup economic impacts that, according to those surveyed, are for some, “double or triple the revenues they reap from a regular home game weekend.”

The responses of the people who would play the game, however, were not nearly as dire.

“It really doesn’t matter to me,” senior linebacker Andy Mattingly, who grew up in Mead, said after Thursday’s spring practice. “Coach (Paul) Wulff said we’ll play in Colfax, Ellensburg, wherever. It really doesn’t matter to a player.”

But Mattingly does know who the change, proposed for 2010, would affect.

“I think the people it matters more to are the students, people who live on the East Side who would have to travel over there to watch the game,” he said. “I feel for the fans, I think they are the one who are going to care the most. They’ve got to drive. We’ve got a 20-minute flight over there, it doesn’t matter to us.”

Junior punter Reid Forrest would rather not play his senior Apple Cup in Qwest instead of Martin Stadium.

“Nothing’s final, but I’d like to see it stay in Pullman, though, I really would,” said Forrest, who grew up in Ephrata where the classrooms would be half purple and half crimson during Apple Cup week. “Just for the tradition. The Snow Bowl. It’s where we go to school. It’s our home turf.”

Wulff understands the negatives of losing that home turf every other year. It was part of the balance he weighed recently when asked by the administration to appraise the pluses and minuses of such a move.

“Does the value outweigh the negative?” Wulff asked. “That’s the bottom line. That’s where it’s at. And that’s been my only part in this process.”

Does it?

“At the end, today’s day and where we are, economy-wise, and some of the other things you could do scheduling-wise, it could,” he said. “And if people knew all the facts, the details of it, it might.”

The schedule is one area Wulff concentrated on.

“If the game’s played after Thanksgiving, it guarantees that we now have a bye in a 12-week season,” Wulff said, “without having them put a regular-season game in December. … I think that’s a big benefit.

“We actually would get an extra game here, because we would no longer play the Seattle game early in September. So every other year, we would actually get another home game. So we could have another home game, possibly, because of that. So there are some positives in that direction from a scheduling standpoint in the big picture.”

Senior tight end Tony Thompson has a longer-term view than most.

His father, Jack, one of WSU’s best quarterbacks, never played an Apple Cup at Martin Stadium, instead meeting the Huskies every other year in Spokane. And the younger Thompson knows his dad would have loved to experience the thrill Tony had last season when the Cougars pulled out a 16-13 double-overtime win in Pullman.

But he also thinks the Qwest idea has merit.

“I’ve heard a lot of negative things said about it by the Coug fans,” Thompson said, “but to be honest, any opportunity to play in Seahawks Stadium, you’ve got to jump on that. That is one of the coolest venues in sports.

“You know, 31,000 Cougs, 31,000 Huskies. I don’t think it gets much better of a rivalry game than that.”

He also doesn’t think any venue could ever cheapen the rivalry.

“It will mean just the same because a win is a win,” Thompson said. “A rivalry game is a rivalry game, no matter where you play it. I think it is just as important here, there, anywhere.”

Thompson just wishes people wouldn’t rush to judge the idea.

“Off the bat you hear about it and it’s kind of shocking news,” Thompson said. “I think people have to learn more about it before they make an opinion.”

•••

SPRING NOTE: Saturday’s scrimmage, originally scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in Martin Stadium, will run only for about an hour. After WSU stretches at 11:45 a.m., the Cougars will move directly into the scrimmage, skipping practice drills that were previously slated to take up the first hour.

•••

• As a web-only extra, here are some more of the players’ comments …

• Senior linebacker Andy Mattingly’s thoughts:

“That’s a nice stadium. I kind of like it. I think it’s a good idea and it should be a lot of fun, to be able to play in an NFL stadium in front of a packed house every year.

“I love playing over there. We do it every year, but to do it for the Apple Cup, that would great.”

He pointed out that future Cougars wouldn’t have to play at Husky Stadium anymore.

“That’s even better,” he said.

• More from coach Paul Wulff:

“It’s something that’s been in the works. I’m not really informed on the details but it sounds like it’s something that is pretty enticing, obviously, for both schools and administrations to want to move forward potentially with this.”

“Obviously, there is a great benefit to this. And some things people aren’t going to like, from an emotional standpoint. But potentially it could provide some great opportunities as well.”

“It was more of a proposal brought to both schools from an outside source. That was talked about by both schools, presented for both to mull over and I was appraised of the proposal and gave my thoughts on it. Everyone kind of went back and forth, spending some time to see if you really play it out, all the good and all the bad that comes from it. That’s been my only part in this process.”

•••

• That’s it for this evening. We’ll be back in the morning. Until then …

12 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

coug79 on April 16 at 8:57 p.m.
Well, I guess I’m in the minority here. It doesn’t bother me a bit to spend the next two (home) Apple Cup games in Qwest rather than Martin Stadium. Big bonus,,,when the Huskies have the home game I don’t have to go to that stinking swamp stadium at Montlake and sit in the rain with the purple lovers.

Let’s see, right now I have to drive 3.5 hours to Pullman vs. 2.5 to Seattle for a Qwest game, When I get to Seattle, I’ll be able to actually find a hotel room…and a fairly nice one for the same price compared to what I get in Pullman. Since I can actually get a hotel room, I don’t have to drive home in the middle of the night, in a traffic jam on a two lane road. And for extra credit I’ll even be able to do a little Christmas shopping. As much as I love the hotels in Lewiston (ugh) I don’t think I’ll miss them all that much during Apple Cup weekend.

As a season ticket holder for both basketball and football, one less trip to Pullman won’t break my heart. And if it means a football program that is financially healthier, I’m all for it. I would guess that some of those complaining loudly about the “Sterk sellout” are the same one’s that don’t give a dime to the Athletic Foundation.
extermin8r on April 16 at 10:08 p.m.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66233018298&ref=nf

Consider adding this Vince, 3200 cougs and dawgs against this proposal.
Grady on April 16 at 10:27 p.m.
I’m not really shocked at the reaction, I’m shocked at just how much emotion is being tossed around. You’d think that we agreed to play all our home games at Qwest.

And while the AC may be double or triple the revenue of a regular game to Pullman, the disappearance of the old Seattle game will mean two additional home games in Pullman over each two year period. Theoretically, that evens out.

I think everyone’s jumping to conclusions without considering all sides.

Having said that, the public outcry has been so negative that you have to wonder if WSU and UW back out.
OlyCoug on April 16 at 10:44 p.m.
So far the only “pros” in this argument are that it’s money (though how much is unknown, when you calculate the hit to the Pullman community—you know, the one that has supported the Cougs for 100 years?). And, also, that it would be cool to play at Qwest with a bi-partisan crowd. Whoopee. That’s what a rivalry is all about, right? Money and a crowd split 50-50.

Gimme a break, people. Even the supporters of this ludicrous idea obviously can’t convince themselves it’s a good idea.

The other “pro” cited often is that it’s only for a few years. Really? So you’re saying if it’s sucks, at least it won’t suck for all eternity? Doesn’t matter, though, because regardless of how much it sucks or doesn’t suck for fans, it ends up being about the money. If First & Goal (whoever that is—hey, somebody check to see if they’re based in Dubai) is making a healthy profit, the momentum will be too much to stop after the initial contract expires.

This would never be being considered if WSU wasn’t in dire financial straits. It’s all just sad. And the game and all its tradition, not to mention the Pullman community, will be victims of this desperation.

Vince mentioned ditching another WSU sport (baseball) as an option, though, ironically, the Cougs this year look like they might pull out a winning record on the diamond. They’ll likely be the only team over .500 for some years to come, if trends continue.

That would be an interesting poll question: Would fans rather 1) send the Apple Cup to Huskyville or 2) disband the WSU baseball team?
randycahalan on April 17 at 5:36 a.m.
I don’t know how administration can even think about taking away the apple cup from pullman.
Giving the huskies home field advantage, making people travel to seattle and letting down the faithful businesses in pullman
is not a great way to help a football program trying to rebuild.
I myself will not buy season tickets, will not go to qwest field, and will not be spending my dollars in the town of Pullman if this happens.
Ted on April 17 at 6:25 a.m.
Randycahalan is unfortunately the type of fan that haunts WSU. The going gets tough, WSU need a little help, and they pull their support. It’s hard to be a Coug. I will say it again. I can’t believe that this was a decision taken lightly. I’m sure that the administration was aware that a good share of the fan base would be upset. But we have to let our emotions settle a bit and look at the big picture. We either make some tough decisions and play the Huskies in Seattle, or play Idaho every year as a conference game.
coreyb on April 17 at 7:18 a.m.
This is once again the state crapping on the east side. Everything being run by Seattle, who thinks it is the center of the universe. It really is worthless even voting in elections on the east side. Look at the presidential and governor races, the only place the winning candidates won, was the greater Seattle area. Rossi owned all of eastern Washington and even SW Washington and somehow the Grinch still won. Now we are seeing what happens when Seattle runs the State. The Sonics leaving, a huge buget defecit, cutbacks, and people losing their jobs. It is time to just tell Seattle no.
dgibbons on April 17 at 8:17 a.m.
Ted,

I think you’re wrong about fans pulling their support. We have yet to see the season ticket numbers for 2009, but I bet they’ll be OK.
PalouseCoug on April 17 at 8:49 a.m.
Dan Gibbons, are you a season ticket holder? If so you would know that the deadline for renewing season tickets has already passed. WSU has our season ticket 2009 renewals already. It’s nice that they waited until that process was complete before springing this little gem on us. I guarantee numbers would be down. Next year the numbers will be down, at least from this household.
CougBob on April 17 at 9:42 a.m.
I have been a season ticket holder and donor for the past 11 seasons. After a day to digest this information, it still makes me nauseous to think about it. They will get my season ticket renewal in the next year only if the Apple Cup is played in Pullman, as it is the only leverage I seem to have as a fan. There are other ways to raise money than prostituting our football team to the city of Seattle.
unclemike on April 17 at 9:56 a.m.
Coug79: I have to agree with you. Lets let the coaches and
players comment (which Vince has). Don’t forget the Dawgs
gotta pack up their stuff and bus across town, too. Then unpack in a strange locker room (different one each year)
and play before equal amount of Cougfans as dog fans.
Martin Stadium seats 34,000 fans, Cougs get 32,00 seats.
Husky Stadium seats 72,000 fans, dogs get 32,00 seats…
think about it. Its a tough call from the heart, but it makes sense
in my head.
Szambelan on April 17 at 5:53 p.m.
I was stunned and angered when I read the headline in the Thursday edition of the Spokesman Review where WSU is planning to move the Apple Cup permanently to Seattle. I am an alum living on the Palouse and someone that was a student in 1982 when the Apple Cup was finally brought home to Martin Stadium after many years of being held in Spokane. It was an experience that my friends and I will never forget. I was there when the goalposts were taken down and the feeling of beating the highly favored Huskies can never be matched, especially at a “neutral” site.

Mr. Sterk and President Floyd weren’t around during that time and as I recall the basic reason for bringing the game back to Pullman was because it simply belonged here. Not the almighty dollar, which seems to be the driving force behind this proposal. Because of our budget and tuition crisis we need this money!? Let’s be realists. The students of WSU aren’t going to get that $2 million to help them with tuition. It’s going back to the athletic department to pay for the football program.

I ask Mr. Sterk and the rest of the administration, what is the point of having a home field if you don’t play games, including the major rivalry game, at home? Oh, right we will get that first game of the year back at Martin Stadium to make up for moving the Apple Cup. I’m sure that the major opponent for that game, “the-university-of-tune-up-community-college”, will certainly fill all the seats. Remember the days when USC refused to come to Pullman because of the money issue? If this is allowed to go through it won’t be long before the Trojans insist on playing in Seattle too. We might as well change our school colors to purple and gold and move over there for good.

Martin Stadium is our Cougar home. The Apple Cup being played there is about more than just money. It’s about home field advantage not some phony “neutral” site. It’s about tradition and bringing the Cougar family home to enjoy a weekend, renue friendships, visit the places where memories were made and experience true Cougar spirit. It seems as only those that are long time Palouse area residents, alumni or students can truely understand this concept.

Our son will have the privilage of attending WSU next fall and it will be a great loss to him and all the rest of the student body not to be able to experience what it means to beat the Huskies in Martin Stadium. Take note everyone: last year’s win will be the LAST time the Huskies play in Pullman if this move happens. I hope that all of you fans, students, alumni and just friends of WSU will express their desire to keep Cougar football where it belongs… at HOME in Pullman.

David & Sandra Szambelan
Class of 1984 & 1992
Colfax, WA