Some people say it all started with the Stanford game. The sellout crowd. The blowout victory. Domination. Elation. Like nothing we’d seen at Husky Stadium for years and years.
Others say it began the day Coach Chris Petersen brought his “built for life” philosophy to Washington, focusing on developing young men of character and grit into a powerhouse football team that laid their hearts on the line for love of the game and pride in their school.
I say Husky Football’s incredible season started much earlier — and it started with you.
It started with each and every loyal season ticket holder and donor who stuck by our Huskies when seasons weren’t nearly as fun as this one. It started with your support for renovating Husky Stadium, creating a first-class, integrated facility that fuels student-athletes’ optimum health and wellness while helping us recruit top-notch coaches and staff. It started with your unshakeable belief that we could be a championship team, a belief that energized this young team and gave them confidence.
The fact is, nothing Husky Football accomplished in 2016 would have been possible without you. Coach Petersen would never have come to the UW but for the commitment you’ve shown. Our team would never have had the coaching, the tools and the support they needed to win without you.
So, if you loved this season and you want to see more just like it — and we will — please pat yourselves on the back and say thanks. And while you’re at it, you can also take your share of credit for Women’s Golf winning a national championship last year, for Women’s Basketball’s trip to the Final Four, for Men’s Soccer in the Sweet 16 and Volleyball in the Elite Eight.
As for me, I will be forever grateful for what you’ve enabled us to do this past year and for what I know you’ll help us accomplish in the future.
Go Huskies!
Jennifer Cohen
UW Athletic Director
