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Is it hot, or do we have Husky fever? Dave Torrell answers our burning questions.
By Jon Marmor | Photos by Ron Wurzer | May 2, 2025
David Torrell enjoyed a successful career in sales management working for Procter & Gamble, 20 years in Oregon and 20 years in the Seattle area. But he’s best known for his 25 years running the Husky Hall of Fame inside Hec Edmundson Pavilion—and for being a fanatical Husky sports fan.
How many Husky football games have you seen? “All but one since the 1978 season.” The only game he missed was in 1978 when he had a work commitment one weekend. As he proudly proclaims, “I live for the Huskies.”
How long have you had season tickets? “Since the 1978 season, after Washington beat Michigan in the 1978 Rose Bowl.”
Favorite memories? “I saw seven Rose Bowl wins. Very few teams can say that. And any time we beat Oregon. How about when the Huskies beat Oregon three times in two years and beat Texas twice? In basketball, when the Huskies beat Arizona.”
Best Husky team? “1991. That team was unstoppable.”
Most unusual Husky football game? “The UW played at Oregon State [in 1970] on a very cold day in the pouring rain. Sonny Sixkiller was the quarterback and he threw six interceptions – and the Huskies still won the game, 29-20.”
How many items are in the Husky Fever Hall of Fame? “500 pieces of memorabilia celebrating 21 sports plus more than 200 Husky Hall of Fame inductees.”
Favorite items? “I don’t really have a favorite but the items from the Don James era are very popular. He’s the all-time legend in Husky sports. Most of the items that are donated relate to a coach.”
Family connection? My son helped design the iconic 1990 homecoming “Dawgfather” football poster displayed in the museum. My wife is pictured as part of the 1962 cheerleading squad alongside a set of paper pom-poms.”
Your philosophy? “If something looks worn, all the better! We don’t restore items. I wanted to include quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo’s jersey after the Huskies won the 2001 Rose Bowl. His mother said she’d take it to the cleaners first. I asked her not to. It’s more interesting all marked up.”
Visitors? “They tend to be reverent and speak quietly in the museum. I recall when a women’s volleyball player told me that she into the museum years ago and thought, If I’m going to get in here, I need to put it into high gear. Her team ended up winning a national championship.”
Material for this Q&A came from a recent interview by Jon Marmor and an interview by Deanna Duff that appeared in a 2016 issue of Columns magazine.