Apple Cup at Qwest a bad idea

The negative backlash from a proposed change in venue for the Apple Cup has been astounding.

UW and WSU fans alike are voicing their displeasure over the idea as Bob Condotta of the Times wrote today, and you can count me in that camp.

Sure, I would love to be able to take a quick cab down to Qwest Field every year WSU is supposed to be the home team. I'd love to give the Cougs a taste of their own medicine when UW teams have to endure the near-equal WSU/UW ratio at any UW home game because Seattle-area Cougs love to hate on the Dawgs en masse. I'd love to experience the rivalry in-person every year, but it's just not right.

The Apple Cup is about tradition. It's about the potential of playing in an epic snowstorm on the frozen Pullman tundra in late November. It's about handing the Cougars their tails and sending their fans to the exits early so they can drown their sorrows at The Coug 'til close. Heck, even lately, it's been about "wait until next year, we'll be back in Seattle."

It's not about state-of-the-art facilities, Jumbotrons, Seahawk-painted fields and prefunking at FX McCrory's.

I realize these economic times are tough, and the state could desperately use the added revenue moving the game could bring. But the universities would be making a big mistake if this is approved.

The Battle for Seattle (Sports Radio)

If you're tired of listening about who the traffic update girl boned over the weekend, or who men age 18-44 that live in the Kent/Renton area voted as hotter in "The Bigger Dance" - Lisa Gangel or Rebecca Stevenson - on your morning drive listening to KJR-AM 950, you now have options, Seattle sports fans.

Yes, there is now a station that actually talks about sports: KIRO-AM 710.

I'm personally thrilled to hear KIRO come to the big kids table after having to endure years of the KJR monopoly on Seattle sports. My biggest gripe on KJR has always been the morning lineup, with Mitch Levy going off on a neurotic tirade about something pointless like the warm plate his salad was served on at a restaurant the night before, while whipping boy co-host Steve Sandmeyer agrees, laughs, and seldom provides a contrast in opinion.

In other words, I want to actually listen about sports topics, which I can say with the utmost honesty, I've gone from my morning commute from Green Lake to downtown while never hearing about actual sports topics discussed in that amount of time on KJR.

I've also been envious of my friends in random places like the Tri Cities that get ESPN radio programs such as The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Mike and Mike, and the V Show with Bob Valvano, while a major market like Seattle does not. So when KIRO brought the aforementioned ESPN shows to its lineup (and a host of others), it was welcomed with open arms from this sports fan. Mix that in with some intriguing new local programs, such as Brock and Salk, the Kevin Calabro Show, and of course, Seattle Mariners baseball, and you may have a battle on your hands if you're KJR.

In all seriousness, this is about having options versus choosing one over another, which is great for us fans. And KJR's UW coverage is second to none, well maybe second to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

So enjoy, Seattle sports fans - You now have options.

And by the way, I'd take Stevenson over Gangel.