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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Seattle makes sense

The Spokesman-Review

Should the Cougars play the Apple Cup in Seattle every year? I would guess that the Cougars have approximately 18,000 to 25,000 loyal fans, including students who pay little and excluding the bandwagon years. They clearly do not generate enough revenue to compete with the powerhouses in the Pac-10 and retain talented coaching staffs.

Ever try to get a motel room on a weekend with a big game in town? What is there to do in Pullman on a weekend besides the game? On the other hand, some years I have been able to catch two Mariners games and a Cougars football game on the same weekend in September. If the Apple Cup is played in Seattle every year, I will likely catch a Seahawks game the next day. And of course there is unlimited other things to do in Seattle.

Combine these factors with the fact that at least 80 percent of alumni live west of the Columbia River, most in the Puget Sound area. So take the game where your alumni live, in a fabulous stadium, plus you get a huge payday. Personally, if the Cougars played every home game in Seattle, I would be there.

Allan LeTourneau

Spokane