Aug. 12, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The second annual Wells Fargo Battle in Seattle football game presented by Comcast between Western Washington University and Central Washington University has added a big pre-game party in the Qwest Exhibition Center to the festivities on Sat., Sept. 25. The exhibition center will open at 3 p.m., three hours prior to the kickoff at Qwest Field, and will be set up in the same manner as it is prior to Seattle Seahawk games. "Last year we had a great game, this year's addition of the pre-game festivities makes it a complete event," said Western Director of Athletic Marketing Steve Brummel. A crowd of 16,392, the largest to ever see a non-NCAA Division I football game in the state of Washington, witnessed Central's 29-20 victory over Western last year. The schools first met in 1922 and have played every year since 1946. Food and beverages will be available in the exhibition center, as well as a wide range of interactive exhibits, such as a skills competition, blocking sleds, a replica of the Qwest Field locker rooms, an "inside the huddle" exhibit, and a scaled-down replica of the playing field. The event is being coordinated by the WWU Alumni Association. Between 6,000 and 8,000 Western alums attended last year's Battle in Seattle.