While most of the voices of Washington football fans have echoed disappointment in the team’s lackluster performance, season ticket sales for the 2008 season tell a different story.

Although the majority of season tickets were sold prior to the start of the now 0-9 season, the sales numbers and donation figures represent an existing interest in the Huskies with more than $114,000 more than last year in fresh donations to the Tyee Club, an athletics booster group, through the first five games of the 2008 season.

“College sports fans are emotionally attached to their teams and schools,” assistant athletic director David Gravenkemper said. “Yes, they do want to win but they still enjoy the game-day atmosphere. Despite the losses, many of our fans would prefer watching any football game than participating in other activities.”

Despite six straight losses at home this season, parking lots continue to be overcrowded, barbeque grills continue to be prepared and seats continue to be filled.

Football games are now more of an all-day entertainment venue than a three-and-a-half-hour competitive sport.

“The game is almost becoming second to the festivities,” said Ed Erickson, assistant director for athletic funding. “A place to park is almost as important as a seat in the stadium.”

Reflected in season ticket sales and donations is a tradition between families and friends uniting together as fans. Football games are where the excitement thrives and a tradition continues, one that fans do not want to drop.

“The football program is a community event,” Erickson said. “Fans are accustomed to going to Saturday games. Fans believe in the tradition of the program and the long-term picture, not the short-term.”

This long-term picture seems to be extending its contract after each season that the Husky football program goes without a bowl game and each season without a winning record.

The 2008 season will likely end up as one of the worst seasons in recent memory, but the Tyee donation program didn’t seem to suffer with these losses.

The biggest factor in sales is arguably the product on the field. Quarterback Jake Locker is this big factor product, said April Albritton, program coordinator of ticket operations, and an increase in both season tickets and donations to the Tyee program can partially be credited to Washington’s heralded quarterback.

“Honestly, you can see team potential and the hope and belief Jake brings to the program,” she said.

However, Locker’s potential breakout season ended early with a injury to his right thumb, sidelining the Huskies’ best asset against opposing teams.

Despite being faced with these struggles, the donor base of this football program remains strong compared to other schools. According to Albritton, donations reflect a loyalty to the school and loyalty to the program.

“True fans, no matter what, buy tickets,” Albritton said.

Following this dismal season, these true fans will be tested.

The program has been a disappointment for many and has entered a state of uncertainty. It has digressed into the same position it was in five years ago following the departure of coach Rick Neuheisel with coaching confusion and mediocre recruiting.

But Gravenkemper feels ticket sales for the 2009 season will be just fine.

“We will probably lose some season ticket holders but will make up for it in individual game sales with a strong home schedule,” he said.

This home schedule will open with a strong LSU team and a new coach faced with the challenge of bringing the UW football program back to being a conference powerhouse.

“It depends on who the leader of the program will be,” Albritton said. “There’s another tough schedule, but next year we won’t be so young. We will be experienced. We can only go up from here.”

Reach reporter Nari Kalafian at sports@dailyuw.com.