Huskies Pac-12 Opener Will Feature Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready

After dispatching upstart cross-state rival Eastern Washington 47-14, the Washington Huskies turn their attention to the team's Pac-12 opener Saturday in Husky Stadium hoping to avenge last year's loss to the Cal Bears.

The Huskies' Pac-12 Conference opener is a celebration of Seattle's legendary music scene, featuring both classic and up-and-coming artists.

Performing the National Anthem will be Seattle's very own Mike McCready – lead guitarist and one of the founding members of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Pearl Jam.

Mike's connection to the city of Seattle and the University of Washington runs deep. His grandfather – Roy McCready – was an associate professor of general engineering at the UW from 1961-1966. Mike's mother and father – Louise Wiepke and Roy McCready – met at the UW as undergraduate students (1960-1964). And his father also went on to receive a master's degree from Washington (1971-72).

As an active and dynamic voice for raising awareness and advocating for numerous causes at home and abroad, Mike's rendition of Saturday's anthem will be performed in support of the UW's Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Instructional Center.

For over 40 years, the Instructional Center has been a national model for providing academic instruction and tutoring for thousands of underrepresented minority, first-generation and economically disadvantaged students affiliated with OMA&D programs.

Its unique and proven blend of services creates a sense of community and paves the way to the university's most competitive majors, and ultimately, graduation and successful careers.  Click here to learn more about the work being done through OMA&D's Instructional Center at the University of Washington.