The Fall high school sports season is finished and the Athlete of the Year Committee (AOY), lead by Willie Stewart, has made the selections from the Fall sports nominees of each Pierce County High School. The committee is working on a video program to highlight the honored boy and girl student athletes which should be available for viewing in January. (We look forward to continue with the in-person banquets to honor the students when possible in the future – post pandemic.)
Congratulations to the Graham-Kapowsin High School Football Team for winning the State 4A Championship and then successfully competing and winning a Geico State Champion Bowl in Las Vegas. What a game!!!
The TAC had a great lunch meeting program on December 9 with Craig Wrolstad, a current NFL White Hat Referee, who shared his schedule and demands for being an NFL official. Then many of us saw Craig in action the following Sunday in the San Francisco game. The program committee is always looking for interesting sports related programs so if you have an idea please forward them to the TAC and Program Committee Chair, Jim Whitacre.
Please consider attending upcoming meetings with the second Thursday noon lunch meeting (January 13) and the third Thursday evening (January 20) to hear interesting sports programs and socialize with others passionate about sports. Our speaker for the meeting on January 13th will be Mike Snyder, Athletic Director for PLU. It would be a great time to renew your membership or joining a great organization that supports local sports. In fact, think about asking a few of your sport friends to be a part of the organization with you.
Congratulation to Graham-Kapowsin for your win against Collins Hill, Georgia's 7A State Champions, last Saturday during the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series. For more information on the game and highlights check out this article from the Tacoma News Tribune
The Tribute to Champions will be held on Tuesday, May 17th from 5:30-8:00pm at the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood. The Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented and the Class of 2022 inductees into the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame will also be honored.
This event is in need of sponsors and souvenir program advertisers. Visit our downloads page information for details. Save the date and contact Marc Blau at 253-677-2872 or at mhblau@comcast.net for additional information or if you would like to support the event.
The Last Hurrah—the final banquet of the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers (a TAC function) will be held on Sun., March 20th from 2:00-5:30pm at the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood. A list of honorees will be published in January.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Old-timers Baseball-Softball Association was conceived and organized to recognize and honor those participants whose commitment and dedication has resulted in a significant contribution to the history of those sports in the Tacoma-Pierce County community.
This event is in need of sponsors and souvenir program advertisers. Visit our downloads page information for details. Save the date and contact Marc Blau at 253-677-2872 or at mhblau@comcast.net for additional information or if you would like to support the event.
The Shanaman Sports Museum invites you to sit back and enjoy the upcoming interview on The Locker Room Chat featuring the Mt. Tahoma 1979 and 1980 State Champion Football Teams.
The Locker Room Chats are a video interview series that highlights athletes, coaches, officials, teams and great events, moments and accomplishments in the history of sports in Tacoma-Pierce County.
The Super Bowl Pool that Doug McArthur is facilitating, which will provide $1,000 to the Tacoma Athletic Commission, is full. Thank you to all of those that have purchased a square. If you requested a square(s) and still need to pay, please be sure to get your payment to Doug. If paying with a check please make the check out to Doug McArthur. Please mail checks to 4037 North Whitman, Tacoma, WA, 98407. If you have any questions you may contact Doug at: dougmc@nventure.com or you may call him at 253-759-4621.
Following the Super Bowl Pool with be the annual March Madness Pool.
Looking the perfect gift for the sports enthusiast in your life….consider the gift of a membership to the Tacoma Athletic Commission. A membership to the TAC provides fellowship with other sports and civic minded individuals and helps to support amateur sports in Pierce County.
Each gift membership will come with a certificate and a welcome letter from the Tacoma Athletic Commission for presentation.
Click here to purchase. When purchasing, PLEASE ENTER YOUR INFORMATION. After purchase a representative from the TAC will contact you for the details of the gift and where to send the certificate.
If you have any questions or would like further information you may contact us at KarynTAC@gmail.com
Our speaker for the January meeting will be Mike Snyder, Athletic Director at PLU.
Mike Snyder was named PLU's Director of Athletics and Recreation, following a national search in May 2021.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Mike to the Lute family," said PLU President Allan Belton. "He brings proven experience and an exciting vision for PLU athletics and recreation that will build on tradition, focus on the student experience, and elevate the national profile of Lute athletics. Mike was the overwhelming choice of the hiring committee made up of students, staff, faculty, and alumni."
Snyder heads to Tacoma after spending the previous seven years as Director of Athletics at fellow Division III institution Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. While at Illinois College, Snyder oversaw an athletic department with 23 varsity sports and nearly 500 student-athletes.
Snyder's tenure saw IC tally its highest-ever finish in the Midwest Conference All-Sport Standings, as well as an institutional record for All-Conference athletes. A proven leader, Snyder oversaw $4 million worth of capital projects, including renovations to the College's baseball and softball stadiums, the resurfacing of its indoor track, and a weight room renovation and expansion.
He also spearheaded a proactive Title IX audit that led to a plan for equitable operations, created innovative varsity programs in esports and competitive dance and cheer, and negotiated sponsorship deals with Collegiate Sports Management Group, Gatorade, BSN Sports, and two charter bus companies.
Prior to Illinois College, Snyder was at Division III Oberlin College (Ohio) from 2008 to 2014. Snyder served in a variety of progressive leadership roles, most recently as Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations. During his time at Oberlin, Snyder supervised and coordinated capital facility projects, negotiated sponsorships, hired and supervised coaches, and managed a multi-million dollar budget across 22 varsity programs and 10 administrative departments. He previously served as Oberlin's Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations, and Director of Facilities.
Prior to his time at Oberlin, Snyder served as Operations Manager and Events Supervisor for Southeast Missouri State University's Show Me Center.
Snyder is an active member of several professional organizations, including CEFMA. He is also active in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), and NADIIIAA. Currently, Snyder is a part of a NCAA group for Sportsmanship and Gameday Environment called "Gameday the DIII Way" and is the NADIIIAA Executive Board Representative to the Division III FAR Advisory Group.
Snyder earned a bachelor's degree in education from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in public administration from Southeast Missouri State.
Congratulations Kevin Wulff, Eastonville Football, WIAA's Week 12 Athlete of the Week. Wulff accounted for 411 yards of total offense in Eatonville's 38-6 win over Lynden Christian in last week's Semifinal football game. He was 13 of 16 passing for 324 yards and connected on two touchdowns. He added 21 carries for 87 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground. Eatonville will face Royal for the 1A State Title at Harry E. Lang Stadium, on 12/4 at noon.
September was the start of a new TAC year. If you have not already paid your dues for the new year, please do so.
You may pay online - Click here or you can complete the membership form and mail the form and a check to the Tacoma Athletic Commission, PO Box 11304, Tacoma, WA 98411
We would like to thank all our members for your continued support. If you are not a current member, we invite you to join the TAC. Renewing your membership or joining the TAC is simple. You can renew online with a credit card or you can complete the attached form and mail it into the TAC with your payment. Thank you to all of those that have already renewed their membership for the 2021-2022 year.
Your membership in the Tacoma Athletic Commission allows us to continue to support amateur sports and civic betterment in the Tacoma-Pierce County area. With your support the TAC is able to:
Honor student athletes each season for their athleticism, academics, and community involvement through our Athlete of the Year committee.
Present scholarships as part of the Tom Names Salute to Sports, in partnership with the Names Family Foundations.
Host events such as the Golden Gloves and our annual golf tournament.
Provide monthly meetings with guest speakers and a chance for fellowship with other sports enthusiasts.
And much more.
Aside from recognition and scholarships, over the years the TAC has contributed to sports and the community in a numbers of ways including:
Raised money and leading a successful campaign to vote “YES” for the Tacoma Dome
Secured money to build the multi-field Heidelberg Sports Complex
The formation of the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame.
Secured a $25,000 grant and contributed an additional $11,000 to purchase Automatic External Defibrillators for all Tacoma School District high schools and middle schools.
And many other projects.
Thank you for your continued or renewed membership which supports the TAC and amateur sports in Tacoma-Pierce County.
You may renew your membership online with a credit/debit card - CLICK HERE or you may complete a membership form and mail it along with your payment to the TAC at: Tacoma Athletic Commission, PO Box 11304, Tacoma, WA 98411
The work of the Tacoma Athletic Commission is possible because of members and the committees. There are 10 standing committees within the TAC. These committees are looking for members to help in a variety of capacities. There are positions that are hands on, behind the scenes, logistical, technical, and must more. Please review the list of committees below and see which one you would be interested in joining. If you are not sure which committee you would like to join and would like to discuss which one would be a good fit for you, contact Karyn Siegrist. The committees are listed below with their chairs noted. To sign-up for a committee contact the chair or Karyn Siegrist. You will see that there are two committees which currently do not have a chair. If you have been interested in taking a leadership role in the TAC, this is a great way to start the process.
TAC STANDING COMMITTEES
S-1 AOY (Athlete of the Year) (Chair: Willie Stewart)
*Tom Names Salute to Sports
*TV Tacoma AOY Broadcast
S-2: ClubRunner (Chair: Karyn Seigrist)
*Newsletter
*Member Communications
S-3: Corporate Partners (Chair: Mark Mininger)
*Sports Discount Card
*Fundraising/Grants
S-4: Finance (Chair: Terry Ziegler)
S-5: Golden Gloves (Chair: Greg Plancich)
S-6: Grant Awards (Chair:__________________)
S-7: Golf Tournament (Chair:__________________)
S-8: Membership (Chair: Pat Garlock)
S-9: Programs/Speakers (Chair: Jim Whitacre)
S-10: School Connectors (Chair: Aaron Roetcisoender)
The Tribute to Champions will be held on Tuesday, May 17th from 5:30-8:00pm at the McGavick
The Last Hurrah—the final banquet of the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers (a TAC function) will be held
If you requested a square(s) and still need to pay, please be sure to get your payment to Doug. If paying with a check please make the check out to Doug McArthur. Please mail checks to 4037 North Whitman, Tacoma, WA, 98407. If you have any questions you may contact Doug at: 
Stone led the Annie Wright team to two big conference victories last week by averaging 32 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3.5 steals per contest.
