April 29, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Tickets for the 2nd Annual Wells Fargo Battle in Seattle presented by Comcast on Sept. 25 at Seahawks Stadium between arch-rivals Western Washington University and Central Washington University go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. through TicketMaster and at the Seahawks Stadium box office.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

The two teams met in the inaugural Battle in Seattle last year, as a crowd of 16,392, the largest ever to see a non-NCAA Division I game in the state of Washington, witnessed Central's 29-20 win over the Vikings.

Tickets are priced at $10, $20, and $25. Only the 100 and 200 sections will be sold, with Western fans on the west side and Central fans on the east side.

Tickets can be purchased at Western's Associated Students Bookstore beginning Monday.

New this year is a free pre-game event in the Seahawks Exhibition Center starting at 3 p.m.

It will feature live music, no-host food and beverages, family activities, and much more.

The two schools, both members of NCAA Division II, first met in 1922 and have played every year since 1946.

The game is one of three nationally of a similar nature between NCAA II rivals. The Fall Classic at Arrowhead has been played between Pittsburg State, Kans., and Northwest Missouri State the last two years, drawing 26,695 in 2002, and is slated to be played again Nov. 6. Also Nov. 6, Grand Valley State and Michigan Tech will meet in the "Bash at the Big House" at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Western was 4-6 last season, but claimed the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship with a 3-0 mark. Central was 6-4 last year.