Washington State's Scheduling Dilemma in the New Pac-12

The newly restructured Pac-12 has faced criticism for its scheduling decisions, particularly regarding a home football game for Washington State University (WSU) set for November 28, 2024, just two days after Thanksgiving. This timing is problematic due to Pullman's rural location and the university's heavy reliance on student attendance for home games. Historically, attendance drops significantly when students leave for the Thanksgiving break, leading to concerns that Martin Stadium will be largely empty during this game, undermining the home-field advantage that WSU typically enjoys.

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WSU's unique geographical and demographic context plays a crucial role in its sports attendance. Unlike larger universities in urban areas, WSU's student body constitutes a significant portion of its game-day crowd, often ranging from one-third to one-half of total attendance. Critics argue that the new Pac-12 leadership has failed to recognize this reality, continuing a trend from the previous conference structure that prioritized television scheduling over the actual atmosphere at games. The decision to schedule a game during a time when many students are away has been described as tone-deaf and indicative of a lack of understanding of WSU's institutional needs.

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WSU President Betsy Cantwell has expressed a desire to make the university "genuinely interesting for lots of reasons" ahead of the next round of conference realignment in 2030-31. However, the scheduling of a game during Thanksgiving weekend has raised questions about the new conference's commitment to its members. Critics have pointed out that if the Pac-12 aims to innovate and thrive, it must learn from past mistakes and adopt a more thoughtful approach to scheduling that considers the realities of its member institutions.

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The scheduling decision has sparked frustration among WSU supporters, who feel that the conference has missed an opportunity to demonstrate its understanding of the unique challenges faced by its members. The sentiment among fans is that this situation feels reminiscent of past failures, where decisions were made without adequate consideration for the local context. Critics argue that the new Pac-12 leadership has not effectively leveraged WSU's current influence within the conference, leading to a sense of déjà vu rather than progress.

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While some sources suggest that the scheduling complexities may have necessitated compromises, there is no clear explanation for why a game was scheduled at such an inconvenient time. The lack of transparency regarding the scheduling process has left many questions unanswered, contributing to the dissatisfaction among WSU fans and stakeholders.

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• “Unless it's an Apple Cup, a home game in Pullman over Thanksgiving Weekend amounts to little more than a televised own goal.” — Anonymous Sports Analyst

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• “It's supposed to be loud, weird and hostile in the best possible way.” — Anonymous Sports Analyst

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• “If the new Pac-12 is serious about being a "start up" organization in which innovation thrives, it has to internalize lessons that were painfully obvious for years and years.” — Anonymous Sports Analyst

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In summary, the scheduling of a home game for WSU during Thanksgiving weekend has raised significant concerns about attendance and the new Pac-12's understanding of its member institutions' needs. The decision reflects ongoing challenges in balancing logistical realities with the desire for a vibrant game-day atmosphere.

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