History was marked at approximately 7:40 p.m. Saturday.

The Washington staff set up a camera for a panoramic photo at midfield of Husky Stadium and spun it around for one last picture of the stands and glittering lights across Lake Washington. By 2013, most of those views will be changed.

Washington played its final game in front of 69,407 fans at the Husky Stadium most have known the past 92 years. Tweaks have been made before. But Monday the storied facility will begin a $250 million renovation to be unveiled Sept. 7, 2013.

"It's time and it's been affecting recruiting," said former UW basketball player Rhonda (Smith) Banchero while standing in the vibrant "Zone" at halftime of the game against Oregon. "Things have been changing so much, you've got to catch up.

"But my favorite memory was 1991 against Nebraska. It was our first night game here. It was electric and it was amazing."

On a crisp fall night Saturday, fans rocked the old facility one last time. On the modest video board, clips of teams dating as far back as 1955 aired, Washington inviting as many former players back as possible to be honored on the field along with Hall of Fame coach Don James and Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Washington had about 80 members of the 1991 NCAA co-national championship team attend. Next year the Huskies will play at CenturyLink Field.

"The renovation and seating doesn't matter (to me)," said Maria Ritter, 58, of Tacoma. She's had waterfront-area seating the past seven years. "As long as you're a fan, you're going to be there for the kids."

The team has become replacement children for Ritter. Her son, J.P., died from complications with meningitis at the age of 3; Ritter turned to football as a distraction. Running back Chris Polk is a favorite, Ritter making friends with his parents among other family members of players.

Dressed in a purple fur hat with gold and purple painted nails, Ritter's self-assigned duty is gathering collectibles for players whose parents can't attend. On Saturday, memorabilia was coated with final goodbyes from the "One Last Bow Down" inscription on the $5 programs to "1920-2011 Mighty are the Memories" free buttons.

Some of the face-lift includes inserting seats where the current track wraps around the field. Plans also include 25 suites, 25 loge boxes and more than 2,500 club seats.

Fans are uncertain if the new digs will have space for game-day treasures such as the alumni band in the end zone, since students and the Husky Band are moving there, or the rolling gold helmet. Yet as long as front-row tailgating is returned, some don't mind about those concessions.

"When we win," said Jerry Teller, 76, of his favorite Husky Stadium memory. He's part of a crew who ride the Wizards Casino-sponsored purple bus from Burien, charging $35 for a round-trip ride and pregame food at Husky Stadium. At 35 years, it's believed to be the longest-running tailgating bus. "That one against USC with Todd Marinovich, 31-0 was great and beating Nebraska. This is my life."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com