Washington high school football coaches anonymous poll: Thumbs-up on Husky Stadium as WIAA championship site

Slightly more than 70% of the coaches are in support of retaining the six state title games of the ‘Gridiron Classic’ at a new location at Seattle. 
 
Earlier this summer, SBLive. com sent questions to high school football coaches in Washington state regarding their opinions on a couple of current hot button issues. 
 
First one – Husky Stadium – the new WIAA championship place for ‘Gridrion Classic’. 
 
In June that year, WIAA officials agreed with the University of Washington to hold the state championships in the aesthetically-designed college stadium for a one-year period. 
 
The six WIAA championship games were played over two days in the first weekend of December in Husky Stadium. 
 
Six months later, the WIAA and the UW agreed to prolong the contract for at least two more seasons or the years 2024 and 2025. 
 
Here is the breakout of responses, and select highlighted remarks, of the 77 coaches - ranging from Class 4A to 1B, and touching all corners of the state - who participated in the anonymous poll question:Here is the breakout of responses, and select highlighted remarks, of the 77 coaches - ranging from Class 4A to 1B, and touching all corners of the state - who participated in the anonymous poll question: 
 
KEEP HUSKY STADIUM AS SITE: 77. Six percent vote on the 59 coaches. 
 
LIKE IT, BUT STILL PREFER TACOMA DOME: Two: Seven: Eighteen. received only 2 per cent vote, that too from 14 coaches only. 
 
SEEK OTHER ALTERNATIVES: Hygiene: 5. A 2 per cent vote, where four coaches per boat are supplied to the contest boats of the rival teams. 
 
KEEPING HUSKY STADIUM 
 
As one coach in Class 3A said, ‘I think it is great that these kids get to play in a quality stadium for the state championship. It should be a rewarding experience for the players and I feel as though Husky Stadium provides that for the players. ’ 
 
“Loved It, all (high school) championships should be played in either NFL or college stadiums. If we say that sports is all about the experience of the athlete, then let’s make it an experience. ” Class 4A coach 
 
‘I think that’s great particularly for (high school) students; for most of these boys it may be the only chance they will ever get to play in a stadium such as this, So makes an enviable lifetime experience’. 
 
“I think the championship game that was played in Husky Stadium was great and I am happy that it will be returning I hope that we can make it to play there someday. ” – Class ‘B’ coach 
 
‘It should always be held there!’ coach of Class 4A team said ‘It was a great setting for a state championship game. ’ 
 
“Great venue WIAA staff treated our players better Kids loved it. Please no rain. ” Class 1A coach 
 
“Real good lake for the greatest game in ( high school) football, if you’re a lifetime Husky fan. ” Class 4A coach 
 
“It is awesome . . . (this) is where it should always be. Win-win for all in the state. ” Class 4A coach 
 
Most of the students and the fans were exhilarated, and of course, it should be continued. 
 
‘Wow, that is a big improvement we need to do a better job of selling those games to the football community. ’ This was said by a Class 4A coach. 
 
‘’It went great, I thought everything about it was awesome. ’’ Class 2A coach 
 
“This definitely is the best championship setting/venue since we played in the Kingdome. ” Class ‘B’ coach 
 
WIAA Marcedes Lewis News > Forums > High School Football > General High School Football Forum > Best thing the WIAA has done in a long time. " - Class ‘B’ coach 
 
I didn’t go but as a former Dawg, it’s the place to be for sure The Washington State Coaches Association should definitely contract out the Don James Center for a social event for fee and ONLY WSFCA card holders. *Class 2A coach 
 
LIKED IT . . . BUT NOT TACOMA DOME 
 
“I think the overwhelming majority of the state thought it was an incredible experience and an awesome change! That being said we along with (six) other programs may have had a bit of different experience The atmosphere was awesome being one of the teams that actually played in the game it did not feel ’empty’ or ’quiet’ like many people were afraid of it might If there is way to make this a long term deal I would pound the table for 
 
‘Great for the kids’ Average for the fan base, since the stadium is so large It’s better than a local high school stadium. 100% success. ’ I would have liked more of the Tacoma Dome feel. 
 
”Would like to see a return to the Tacoma Dome, just a cooler atmosphere Nothing against UW but a better site would be best. “ – Class 1A coach 
 
“Much better than the year before at Mt. Tahoma , though I am still a big fan of the Tacoma Dome and wouldn’t mind going back there,” said Class 4A coach 
 
”Oh, great. It is not like the (Tacoma) Dome, but it is a nice second choice. ” A Class 1A coach 
 
Fantastic it is not the Tacoma Dome however it’s SECOND to NONE. - Class 2A coach 
 
SEEK A DIFFERENT SOLUTION 
 
He confessed that he thought it was just a wasted venue and he would rather prefer to watch those games in class ‘B’ venues such as Central (Washington University) and Eastern (Washington University) and get a more cramped up experience. 
 
“C SRC larger than high school stadiums, Good, but hope it moves to new Seattle Center stadium when it is done.
Would like it back in Tacoma Dome so weather doesn’t influence the game. ” – Class 2A coach 
 
“It was too large to contain high school sports. ” Excellent concept, yet more backing is required if the game is to be hosted in Class 3A. 
 
“It would be my preference for the championship to jump back and forth – west side to east side – every year. ”- Class “B” coach