SEATTLE — Aaliyah Kirk said she feels a sense of pride seeing her Huskies headed to the National Championship Game. The UW sophomore was bred to be a 'Dawgs fan while growing up in the Seattle area.
“My grandparents really love UW,” Kirk said.
Many students will be watching the game with friends from their dorm rooms and nearby sports bars. It’s the best way they can support their team Monday since flying to Houston isn’t realistic for most.
“[I’ll be watching in] my dorm with my suitemates. Unfortunately, I can’t make it. I’m a broke college student,” UW student Brian Angeles Molina said.
Molina said he’s felt a buzz around campus after the big win in the Sugar Bowl.
“I’m juiced. It’s my senior year here. I couldn’t believe we’re in the National Championship. Especially because two years ago we were not very good at all,” UW senior Casey Johnson said.
Alaska Airlines Arena is hosting a watch party for 7,000 fans. The free tickets sold out quickly.
"It’s exciting. It's sort of a disappointment to see the Pac-12 dissolve to go into the BIG 10 competing in the National Championship the year before that's exciting. Especially since Michigan is the opponent," UW graduate student Cade Cicchella said.
“The energy is going to be really fun. It's going to be super electric around campus. Some people are talking about canceling classes," another student said.
There is a send-off for the Husky football team at 1 p.m. Friday. Fans will gather outside the west entrance of Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium as the team boards the buses on their way to Houston.