WIAA drops Tacoma Dome as high school championship football site

Board cites higher costs, new seating arrangement for decision

  • Monday, June 3, 2019 11:16am
  • Sports
WIAA drops Tacoma Dome as high school championship football site

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board voted Sunday not to renew its contract with the Tacoma Dome as the host site for the high school football state championships, citing fan experience and financial implications for both the WIAA and spectators as the primary reasons to make the change.

“The Tacoma community and the Tacoma Dome have been great hosts for many WIAA state championships over the years,” said WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese in a news release. “They will continue to provide an exceptional experience for the WIAA Mat Classic and Hardwood Classic events.

“Ultimately, the executive board needed to evaluate whether holding the Gridiron Classic in the Tacoma Dome made sense for the association, student-participants and fans. Costs of renting the facility have continued to increase and WIAA staff received criticisms regarding the new seating arrangement for football (after renovations of the facility last year).”

Search for new sites

The executive board and WIAA staff will begin surveying potential sites that can accommodate state championship games and plans to finalize locations in the fall. The change will most likely bring an end to the single-site championships format, moving toward the design of nearly every other WIAA state tournament where championship games are held at various sites across the state.

“While the Tacoma Dome offered the ability to have all state championship football games in one location, we anticipate that using multiple sites will have its own benefits,” Colbrese said. “Fans will see lower ticket prices by no longer paying the service fees associated with the Tacoma Dome, and related costs of attending the event, such as parking and concessions, will be significantly reduced as well.”

The Tacoma Dome has hosted the Gridiron Classic since the 1995-96 season, replacing the former Kingdome in Seattle as the championship site. The facility has been involved in the WIAA football tournament in some capacity since the 1983-84 season, when it first began hosting assigned semifinal games.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.

Provided by Kent School District
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Shawna Behrens

Behrens is in her 16th year of coaching and coaches three sports at Kentlake.

Zoey Sling wins a challenge against Tahoma late in the second half. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Soccer: Chargers draw level with Tahoma 1-1

Kentridge remains unbeaten and eyes league title with two games remaining.

Kentlake’s Lauren Tripp attempts to clear a ball inside the Kentlake defensive third. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake girls soccer falls to Decatur 4-0

Falcons held scoreless for first time all season, but aim for postseason.

Senior linebacker Chuka Savini lead the Kentwood defense on a huge stand in the fourth quarter against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Football: Kentwood outlasts Auburn in shootout 46-44

Antoine Lee records five touchdowns in the win for the Conks.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot wins 2nd WNBA championship

Courtney Vandersloot takes title with New York Liberty after winning crown in 2021 with Chicago Sky

Kentwood senior Aly Skagen with a tip over the net for the Conks. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood volleyball sweeps Stadium, moves into playoff position

Conks currently sit in fifth place in the NPSL.