1920-1929


Cars surround the stadium on the day of its opening in 1920. File photo.

Twenty Men Could Fund the Entire Stadium

The statewide campaign of University of Washington alumni to raise $500,000 to erect a stadium on campus is on--$157,000 was pledged to the stadium fund by alumni outside of Seattle. ... At the alumni meeting ... the tentative plan for the sale of bronze plaques, entitling purchasers to reserved seats at all events in the stadium for periods of two and five years, was unanimously adopted. ... William J. Coyle, president of the association, said that are 20 men in Seattle today who would donate outright the $500,000 required if asked to do so, but that the desire of the association is to have all alumni of the state participate in the enterprise and to offer some return for the money given. March 1920

Husky Cirque? Debate over Stadium Name

After a discussion which lasted for three and a half hours, the name contest committee to decide the name for Washington's stadium adopted the title "Washington Field." ... The discussion simmered down to five proposed names: Field, Cascadium, Crater, Magnet and Cirque. April 1920 * The greatest alumni reunion ever held in the West will be called to order on November 27 when the referee blows the whistle that starts the Washington-Dartmouth football game in Washington's new stadium. Thirteen thousand students have attended the University of Washington at some time or another since 1852 [sic] and every one of them, still alive, has signified his or her intention of being present. October 1920


The program cover from the grand opening of Husky Stadium, then called "Washington Field," didn't include the final score--a 28-7 Dartmouth victory. UW Libraries Special Collections.

The Homecoming--The Stadium--The Game

When we reached the stadium at one o'clock, ...we came fearing to see a vast mud puddle, more suitable for aquatic sports than for football, but a glance at the playing field dispelled all fears; the honeycomb drainage system had stood the test of over 40 hours of heavy, soaking rain, which had only ceased sometime in the early morning of the day of the game. ... A detailed account of the Homeric struggle would require more space than is at my disposal; suffice it say that the best team won. Eighteen Washington men ... fell before a machine, a powerful, smooth running Juggernaut, 1920 model. The visitors [Dartmouth] ... won a cleanly played, well earned 28 to 7 victory. November 1920

We Shouldn't Be Afraid of New Ideas

New ideas may perhaps be bad, very bad, but they may be good. Unless they are expressed, no one will know whether they be good or bad. ...A university affords a place where new ideas my be brought forward and subjected to rigid criticism. If bad, they will in time perish from their own weakness without the necessity for political suppression. If good, society will be benefited. No university should become an incubator for treason or sedition. Yet ... there is a great difference between the scientific analysis of an old and new idea, and the attempt to enforce acquiescence in others to one's own ideas. ... The former is necessary to progress. It should no be suppressed by legislation in the blind fear that an unwelcomed truth may be discovered. The American public at large is so busy making money that it does not appreciate the advantage to itself of having a place where people ... may be encouraged to think clearly and, through seeing all sides of a question, work out its solution. Editorial, March 1921

Unlimited Immigration is 'National Suicide'

"We are told that there are 20,000,000 people in Southern Europe who are trying to get means to come to this country. ... These people are the down-trodden, more or less incompetent, feeble-minded, degenerate of Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Italy. The records show that an overwhelming proportion of people who commit crimes come from immigrants or the sons of immigrants. ... We must remember that what we are getting now is not the old group of hardy pioneers, but the refuse of Southern Europe. ... The allowing of this strain of undesirable blood to come across the seas is nothing short of national suicide."--Charles A. Processor, president of the Dunwoodie Institution of Minneapolis, in an address to Seattle alumni. April 1921


Because of the gray Seattle weather, a 1915 planning committee chose Gothic architecture to provide "a maximum of light." Suzzallo Library façade by Mary Levin.

Planning for the Ultimate Library

"Since the Library is the great center of interest of the entire University, intellectually speaking, it naturally should personify this idea in its physical expression. Therefore, the building on the exterior will be of considerably greater importance than any building yet erected, with a façade rising 80 feet, with a high roof. Above all will be a great tower, the foundations only of which will be put in at this time." Carl F. Gould, November 1992

Students Should Live on $60 a Month

Very economical students at the University of Washington can pay all their individual expenses, including board, lodging and fees, on an average of $60 a month, according to an analysis of student living costs which President Henry Suzzallo has prepared. These figures also show that an economical student can pay all his expenses, and have all the extras he ought to have, on an average of $65 a month. A student who is given more than an average of $75 a month, according to President Suzzallo, is regarded as a liability to the University, to his family and to the student himself. January 1923.

Dean of Women Lists Careers for Coeds

More than 50 specific careers are open to women graduates of the University, according to a statement given out recently by Miss Ethel H. Coldwell, dean of women. Many of these are in lines of work allied to home economics, business administration and science. ... Other professions open to women graduates of the University include advertising, newspaper, editorial and literary work, public health nursing, social welfare, playground direction, statistical and secretarial work, and employment management. Many women graduates become pharmacists, bacteriological technicians and psychologists, while positions in salesmanship, vocational guidance, the law, banking and general scientific research are open to them. June 1923


Program cover from the 1924 Rose Bowl.

Our First Rose Bowl: "We Really Won"

Scheduled to participate in the biggest intersectional gridiron contest in the United States, the University of Washington Huskies will meet the Navy in a post-season game at Pasadena on New Year's Day. The game will be a part of the Tournament of Roses festivities. Coming at the climax of a successful season, an invitation to play the Navy team at Pasadena resulted in faculty approval and a vote of acceptance from the Washington players. December 1923 * "I am not going to try to give you a sport writer's account of the game, because I am not able to, and it is too long a job. ... The game was a tie, as you are aware, although we felt that we really won the game from the standpoint of football, and owing to the fact that our field goal missed the post by only two feet."--Anonymous Reporter, January 1924.

Legislator Threatens to Dump President Suzzallo

President Suzzallo at an alumni meeting in Yakima on April 14 declared that Duncan Dunn, a member of the legislature from Yakima and a regent of the State College (now WSU), is the worst enemy that the University has. The President made particular reference to Dunn's efforts to divert from University purposes the revenue from the original site of the University. ... Dunn, when informed of Dr. Suzzallo's statements, is reported to have said that he would again run for legislature and that "one of my principal platform points will be to secure a state university president for less than $18,000 a year." May 1925

George Wilson Better Than 'Red' Grange?

Is George Wilson the greatest halfback that ever wore a Washington uniform? Some say "Yes;" and some say "No;" but all agree that his peers are few and remarkably far between. Nebraska stopped the great "Red" Grange, ... stopping George Wilson they found to be a different matter; totally and entirely. If we may credit the records of yardage made and the word of the Nebraska players and coach, George Wilson is greater than Grange. November 1925

Outclassed in the 'Carnival of Roses'

Washington and Alabama will furnish the attraction at the football game played at Pasadena in connection with the Carnival of Roses, on Jan. 1, 1926. Except from the financial standpoint, there is little to be gained by participating in the South-West Classic. In the national ratings Washington is already put above Alabama so we get no glory if we win and the razzberry if we lose. Jan. 1926

No excuses are necessary as to the outcome of the Pasadena game. The small handful of devoted supporters who accompanied the team and coaches were hopeful but not optimistic. Our boys ... tried to get back into the fall spirit for a game that was really an anti-climax. ... Alabama was primed for the game, was acclimated and had the support of the crowd. Its men played to win. ... That our team was not greatly outclassed is indicated by the fact that it made as many touchdowns as Alabama, losing out only by the failure to kick goals. Feb. 1926


President Henry Suzzallo poses during a visit to Seattle after his firing. Suzzallo had hopes that the governor behind the dismissal would face a recall election, but the attempt failed. File photo.

President Fired, Students March, Alumni Exiled

[In October 1926, regents appointed by Gov. Roland Hartley fired UW President Henry Suzzallo, causing student demonstrations and a call for a strike. Suzzallo told students to return to the classroom. The UW Alumni Association and others tried to oust Hartley through a recall initiative but failed to get enough signatures. Two years later, UW officials told the association to leave campus.]

Regents meet at 3:30 p.m. and Gov. Hartley (appointed) regents vote to ask Dr. Suzzallo to leave. Regents John Heffernan and Mrs. Ruth McKee voting "nay." Dr. Suzzallo refuses to resign and is given indefinite leave of absence. David A Thomson, dean of College of Liberal Arts, is named acting president. ... Students stage great demonstration and threaten strike. Dr. Suzzallo persuades them to return to their classes. ... Alumni association executive committee meets and issues the following statement: "The removal of Dr. Henry Suzzallo forcibly calls the attention of the people of the state and nation to the fact that Gov. Hartley is attempting to make a political football of the state's educational institutions. ... Gov. Hartley's regents, without assigning any cause reflecting on his qualifications for the office, have removed as president of the state university one of the foremost educational administrators in America--a man who had in 10 years built a great University while keeping the cost per student lower than at any comparable institution." November 1926

Raising 'Hec': Pavilion is Dedicated

The realization of a glorious dream. ... A few brief months ago the site of the Athletic Pavilion was a barren patch of brown dirt and scrubby bushes. Now, standing in regal splendor is the consummate conception of far-seeing men and women who know the needs of a great University. This half-million dollar plant will be fittingly dedicated with a series of basketball games between the University of Illinois and the UW. December 1927.


This Camel ad from 1934 was the first of many cigarette ads that ran in the old Washington Alumnus.

Is Smoking Hazardous to Your Health?

The members of the department of Psychology have some 30 research projects under way or recently completed.... Dr. [Ralph] Gundlach has three particularly interesting investigations under way. For one he is making a drive from a new angle on the physical effects of smoking. Previous investigators have been unable to secure subjects who would drive themselves to the utmost week after week. Through the cooperation of Coach Edmundson, whose men do not go into strict training until January, Dr. Gundlach is able to make a study of the effects of tobacco under better conditions. November 1929

Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms: Birth of the Anti-Hero

"So depraving is the effect of the war that the reader's sympathies turn to the support of the hero, praising and approving him as a deserter. Indeed, the author creates the impression that every man whose sense of decency was not entirely demoralized by the war would follow his example and desert from the army. Thus we have a complete revaluation of values; a state of affairs in which the hero is a deserter. Certainly [this is] a new commentary on the modern world in which the traditional villain has become a modern hero."--English Professor Sophus Winther, November 1929.

1908-19 1930-39

1940-49 1950-59

1960-69 1970-79

1980-89 1990-98

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