Washington’s Husky Stadium and Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium have a few things in common. Both were built within a year of each other (the former in 1920, the latter in 1921), they’re both sizable (capacities of more than 70,000) and have each been the home to at least 15 conference titles. Perhaps the most striking similarity, however? They both offer “sailgating.”
Washington Huskies launch naval sailgating offensive against Tennessee
Can a rivalry begin before two teams ever play each other?
Otto Greule Jr
What is sailgating? It's tailgating, but on a boat! You see, Husky Stadium and Neyland Stadium are the only two major college football stadiums accessible by boat, according to an official Washington press release, making them the only two stadiums where sailgating is even possible (again, according to the release -- more on that later).
The Washington athletic department isn’t happy just being one of two schools in the country able to pull off this unique feat, however: they’d like you to know their experience is superior to Tennessee’s, presumably to lock down the high-value “travelling sailgater torn between visiting Knoxville or Seattle” market. The following is a very real quote from the release:
But Husky Harbor is far closer to the stadium and far more expansive than Tennessee's, making the convenience and tradition of sailgating at Washington the only experience of its kind in America.
This kind of dig might be expected in a press release about a long-time rival -- say, Oregon or Washington State. But Tennessee? The two teams have never even faced off on the field.
Washington actually threw some (perhaps unintentional) extra shade in the release via omission -- Baylor is adding sailgating to their pre-game festivities this season. Expect a press release shortly about the virtues of Seattle water over Waco water (also known as Dr. Pepper).
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