Good stuff, SB. Washington is in the same boat as the three California schools discussed, not only in regards to the UW medical center being a world leader, but as to how the university perceives itself and it's place in the world. The place will never be an SEC-level athletic program because we do not place importance on things the same way those schools do, much as Cal, UCLA, and Stanford (and, to a large extent, Texas as well). We're fortunate that we have an outstanding president who happens to be a sports fan and is popular both on the academic and the athletic side of things, but there was never any doubt which way we would end up going. Even Coach Lake has been adamant about backing the conference's decision.
The UW hasn't played a home game in over 40 years where I wasn't in attendance. Like a lot of you, football season for us is when friends and family get together for tailgating and good old-fashioned hatred of our quacking compatriots to the south. I'm pissed and at a loss as August turns into September and there's no football on our horizon here for the first time since 1891. Yet my faith is - and has to be - in the amazing medical professionals at UW Medicine and at the other top schools in the conference.
I hope we were wrong; that the three remaining conferences hold a successful and healthy season even if that will hurt my school and probably destroy the Washington States and Oregon States of the conference - because that will mean that y'all were able to keep your players, staffs, and their families safe. Godspeed to you.