There really isn't any major rival in the Pacific Northwest. While sometimes the names of schools like WSU or the University of Oregon are bandied about as rivals, in reality UW is the major force in education in the Pacific Northwest. Most of that is due to the medical school (which, without qualifications, is one of the best in the world), and the massive amount of political clout UW has. A very significant number (if not an outright majority) of business leaders and politicians in the Pacific Northwest have studied at UW or have strong connections to UW.
I find it unlikely that any politicians or business leaders in the state of Washington would even consider trying to diminish UW's importance. This is sort of unfortunate in a way, because with all the focus on UW, the state of Washington has not built enough schools to allow the majority of students in state the ability to study at a school in Washington.
"There really isn't any major rival in the Pacific Northwest."
That may be so. However, from the border on down to the South, the wacko fagbags are West of the mountains. Once you get to the East of the mtns, both the climate and the people improve dramatically. Therefore, why not memorialize Pappy at some uni in Spokane: it's on the right, not the left, side of the state?
I graduated from the Gonzaga Engineering School in 1980. At the time, we were unaccredited, but a tough program to get through. UW, on the other hand, was accredited but facing probation.
I strongly disapprove of the liberal slope GU is sliding down, but I'd match them up against the Dawgs any day.
btw, a great number of current Business leaders, politicians, Military Leaders and sports greats are Gonzaga products. Of what population basis is this UW "majority" a "majority"?