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With the kickoff to the 2014 WSU football season exactly two months away as of Saturday, WSU announced that it will open ticket sales to the general public for the August 28th Seattle Game versus Rutgers this coming Monday at 9 am.
There are several factors that could weigh in on what attendance will be for season opener at CenturyLink. The Cougs are coming off their first bowl season in a decade, so optimism that the team will be able to build on last year's monster step forward might generate a few more ticket sales. Being the first game of the season doesn't hurt either since everybody loves a team they haven't seen lose. Rutgers is also a BCS team entering their first season as a member of the Big Ten.
On the downside, the game is on a Thursday night with a 7:30 pm kickoff time, which is less than ideal for people that have to be at work on Friday or have kids to put to bed.
Here are the yearly attendance figures for games played in Seattle since 2002:
| Year | Opponent | Attendance |
| 2002 | Nevada | 63,588 |
| 2003 | Idaho | 50,113 |
| 2004 | Colorado | 56,188 |
| 2005 | Grambling State | 51,486 |
| 2006 | Baylor | 41,358 |
| 2007 | San Diego State | 46,290 |
| 2008 | Oklahoma State | 50,380 |
| 2009 | Hawaii | 42,912 |
| 2011 | Oregon State | 49,219 |
| 2012 | Oregon | 60,929 |
| 2013 | Stanford | 40,095 |
Program momentum seems to matter the most when determining how many fans show up to watch the Cougs play in Seattle. The issue of the game losing novelty is likely another contributing factor to the general decline in fan interest. Moos has stated that no further Pac-12 games will be played in Seattle and that the game itself is being reconsidered.
The debate on whether on not there should be a Seattle game is one that has been had many times over. However, the attendance for this year's game will be an important pulse check to see how much the Cougar fan base has bought into the new direction Mike Leach is taking the football program.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Head coach Ernie Kent has been busy during his first few months in Pullman recruiting to fill scholarship spots left open by graduating and departing players. Kent's last commit was point guard Trevor Dunbar. Slam Magazine did a feature on Dunbar and how he uses work ethic to overcome his 5'8 stature.
Shift General
Washington State freshman PG Trevor Dunbar has game to match his internet fame.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Brian Holsinger is a big part of the recent resurgence of the WSU women's basketball program. Last week, Holsinger's efforts earned him a promotion to associate head coach. Holsinger joined several basketball coaches, including Ernie Kent, by participating in the #Chillin4Charity drive for the Kay Yow Fund. For his part, Holsinger jumped into the Snake River.
Cougars Participate in #Chillin4Charity - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State University basketball coaches have responded to the Cold Water Challenge as part of the #Chillin4Charity campaign.
PAC-12
In conference news, Cal announced the resignation of athletic director Sandy Barbour. An interim AD will be named soon.
Sandy Barbour stepping down as California Golden Bears athletic director, according to reports - ESPN
California athletic director Sandy Barbour will step down from her position effective July 15.