The Return: Fans Are First

TO NORMAL

FANS ARE FIRST

when it comes to stadium safety this fall

BY MARK MOSCHETTI FOR GOHUSKIES MAGAZINE nformation. Infrastructure. In-stadium safety and health intricacies. Tickets. Tailgating. Transportation.I Jason Butikofer is not understating the case when he says there are lots of i's to be dotted and t’s to be crossed between now and the start of the University of Washington’s football season in September. “For all us in many ways, it has been a long 14 months,” the UW Athletic Department’s Chief Operating Officer said of dealing with the corona virus pandemic since it started reshaping all aspects of everyone’s life in

March 2020. The only certainty along the way has been uncertainty. At this point, we have optimism and enthusiasm about fall.” “I saw it at spring football practice. Many people I talked to were excited to be back,” he added. “We were excited to have them, and we’ll continue to move forward toward hosting a full stadium this fall.” A full Husky Stadium is something that hasn’t happened since Nov. 23, 2019, when 70,931 fans jammed the place for a 31-13 victory Washington State in the Apple Cup. Now, with the season-ticket renewal process having wound down in mid-May, Butikofer, the rest of the department staff and certainly the players and coaches are eagerly — and perhaps a bit anxiously — looking forward to seeing that many back in the stands on Saturday, Sept. 4, when Montana comes to town to kick off the 2021 season. “We’re going to continue to adhere to direction from state and local and campus officials on crowd sizes as we approach fall,” Butikofer said. “But we’re planning on optimism and excitement with welcoming back 71,000 fans.”

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The Huskies have taken some steps toward that ultimate goal this spring.

As state restrictions on gatherings gradually eased, a small number of fans — limited to family and guests of UW athletes and coaches — were permitted at home events. That included not only included the traditional spring sports of baseball, softball, and track, but also at contests of the fall sports that had moved their seasons to spring: volleyball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer.

And of course, spring football. “All along, we’ve worked very closely with the county and state, our event management group, and our Covid operations group and really put together a great plan,” Butikofer said. “It was exciting and energizing to have fans at games in person.”

A few fans at the baseball or softball stadiums are one thing. Parking on that scale isn’t an issue and tailgating isn’t part of the equation. Different story for football. Many fans arrive on public transportation. And no matter how they get to the Husky Stadium, tailgating can be as important a part of the day as the game itself. “We are planning to host tailgating,” Buitkofer said. “But we are going to continue to follow health guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all fans in attendance.”

As for public transportation, plans are being firmed up to operate buses to and from key Metro Park & Ride lots on game days. More details are expected during the summer. “There are still some things we need to crystalize between now and September and we will communicate those updates to our fans as decisions are made.”

As have many other sports entities, both college and professional, the Huskies are moving toward digital ticketing. That won’t be a problem for most fans. For those who aren’t as tech-savvy or don’t have a smartphone, a call to the Husky ticket office or to the Tyee Club office will help then address their concerns or questions.

“For some people, it will be just wanting some education (about digital ticketing),” Butikofer said. “For others, it may be needing an alternative.”

Tailgating? Yes

— with safety protocols

Optiistic and realistic

at the same time

As the calendar moves toward summer, the focus on “return to normal” will continue to center around football and getting ready for the seven-game home schedule — one that includes visits from Oregon and Washington State.

Dealing with season tickets was a big step in that direction. But Butikofer said Washington is mindful of the fact that given the nature of the pandemic, things could change on very short notice. “Season ticket renewal represents a commitment to full capacity,” he said. “If capacity is determined to be limited down the road, we will give people options and things of that nature.”

There are a myriad of details, both up front and behind the scenes, which will need addressing between now and September. To hear Butikofer tell it, the mindset among his department colleagues is bring ’em on.

And then, bring on the fans.

“A lot of it revolves around event management and continuing to put processes and protocols and infrastructure in place so we can host fans,” he said. “The list goes on and on. Obviously, there are some things we’re going to have to re-think. “There’s a lot of work around the intricacies,” he added. “A lot of t’s we’ll be crossing, and a lot of I’s we’ll be dotting.”