Each fall, thousands of new students rush the field at Husky Stadium for their official welcome into the University of Washington family.
They’re met with music, cheers and smiles from members of the University administration, fellow students and the Husky Marching Band. They learn the UW fight song and play giant ice breaker games with the goal of meeting as many new people in as little time as possible.
The grand finale comes when students, most donned in a Husky purple T-shirt, form a large “W” across the field for the annual first year photo.
The tradition is the first of many meaningful Undergraduate Academic Affairs experiences where students can find belonging outside of the classroom.
Ever wonder how it all comes together? Our New Student and Transfer Programs team spend all year preparing to welcome new Huskies to campus during Husky Kickoff. Here are a few fun facts about the event, the photo and our new 2026 Huskies.
1. The first “W” photo was in 2005.
At the time, the New Student and Transfer Programs (then-First Year Programs) director and team wanted to do something big to welcome students and create a sense of connection and belonging.
“Since we facilitate First-year Interest Groups, the team thought, ‘We can go all in and get a good crowd,’” said LeAnne Wiles, executive director for Academic Success & Student Transition in UAA.
They garnered inspiration from other schools like Colorado State University and the University of Minnesota, which both take photos on their football fields during orientation.
At the time, the biggest hurdle was getting permission from the football team because they had practice, Wiles said.
Now, the UW Football Team plans their practice schedule around Husky Kickoff, a partnership that Wiles said her team really appreciates.
Some football players and Head Coach Jedd Fisch even stop by to greet new students.
2. 3,500 people are featured in this year’s photo.
Out of the nearly 8,900 incoming class of first-year and transfer students, about 3,450 students are featured in the “W.” About 50 staff members are also in the formation.
3. The “W” string is roughly 1,036 feet long.
To ensure that the students can form the perfect “W,” the New Student and Transfer Programs team uses a string that they place on the field in the letter shape. Students then fill in the 1,036-footlong string.
Student leaders and staff members rehearse the string formation ahead of time to make sure the photo goes as smoothly as possible once thousands of students are there.
4. The photo happens rain or shine.
The “W” photo happens regardless of the conditions outside. In some previous years’ photos, students are bundled up in raincoats. In others, the sun shines brightly overhead.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, New Student and Transfer Programs found a way to make the photo work, asking students to submit portraits of themselves, which was compiled into a large collage, shaded in the shape of a “W.”
5. Twenty-eight student leaders helped with this year’s formation.
Orientation leaders and Dawg Daze leaders make up the “string team,” which helps set up the string in the shape of the “W” and file students into the formation.
This year, 28 students made up the string team. Another 20 staff members helped direct students on the field and from the press booth at the top of the stands to ensure that the photo was balanced.
6. The University president and provost join the fun.
Zoom into the 50-yard line and you might just spot UW’s president and provost posing among the students.
The tradition is one of the first opportunities that students get to interact directly with the UW administration.
Can you spot President Robert Jones and Provost Tricia Serio in this year’s picture?
7. Students took part in 580 Dawg Daze events.
This year, New Student and Transfer Programs put on 580 events during the 10 days of Dawg Daze for new and transfer students to welcome students to campus.
From study abroad resource discussions to transfer student mixers to the student activities fair to career advice events, students had a range of opportunities to connect with each other and learn more about the Husky experience.