Greetings fellow TAC members and guests and welcome to the newsletter of the second month of the TAC year!
The fall high school sports are in full swing and Willie Stewart and the AOY committee are working hard to put together the recognition program for the accomplishments of the boy and girl student athletes in the fall sports. Thank you, Willie.
I hope everyone that wanted to participate in the Apple Cup “Game Pool” had a chance to be included in the 100 squares. Doug McArthur is doing his great job (as always) of organizing the game pools, so if you did not get in this one look for one of the game pools coming in future months. Thank you, Doug.
The October membership meeting had Joey Waters, former Tacoma Stars soccer player and soccer coach for many years at Bellarmine Prep, providing a wonderful program about his early years growing up in Ireland and how he arrived in Tacoma. Please join us for the November 11 Veteran’s Day membership meeting when we honor those who have served our country in uniform and our speaker for the meeting will be Bob Christofferson (AKA the SodFather), retired head groundskeeper for the Seattle Mariners. Jim Whitacre and the Program Committee are working hard to present great monthly sports programs. Thank you, Jim.
Please consider asking your friends and colleagues that enjoy sports and supporting sports activities in the local high schools and colleges to join the TAC. Also, please consider joining one of the TAC committees to help in the efforts of the group.
Thank you for being involved in the activities of the TAC.
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 speaker for our meeting on November 11th will be Bob Christofferson, a.k.a. the SodFather. Bob retired last year as the head groundskeeper for the Seattle Mariners. During an M's game earlier this year he threw out the ceremonial first pitch and was honored at the game for his years of service. You can watch a video of the ceremonies at https://mlbn-distro.mlb.com/20210914SEA-FIRST-PITCH-BOB-CHRISTOFFERSON.mp4
Our meeting will be November 11th at 12:00 at Tower Lanes, 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 and on Zoom. Please arrive early to allow time to get your lunch and a seat. Lunch is $13. The TAC asks that all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, please wear a mask unless you are eating/drinking or presenting.
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND IN PERSON, PLEASE RSVP TO KARYN SIEGRIST (KarynTAC@gmail.com) SO THAT TOWER LANES AND THE TAC MAY PROPERLY PREPARE FOR THE MEETING. THANK YOU.
The speaker at our December 9th meeting will be Craig Wrolstad - Current white had referee with the NFL. Craig went to Meeker Junior High and Lindbergh High School, he now lives on Lake Taps and has coached multiple youth sports in the area over the years.
Wrolstad served several seasons in NFL Europe, including three seasons as a referee. Prior to entering the NFL, Wrolstad was in the Pac10 conference and the Arena Football League. Wrolstad was hired by the NFL in 2003 as a field judge, and was promoted to referee with the start of the 2014 NFL season following the retirements of Ron Winter and Scott Green. Wrolstad wore uniform number 89 as a field judge, then switched to number 4 upon his promotion. Wrolstad was named the alternate referee of Super Bowl LII and was named the referee of the 2020 Pro Bowl.
Outside of the NFL, Wrolstad is a high school athletic director at Seattle Christian School.
The December 9th meeting will be at Tower Lanes, 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 and on Zoom. Please arrive early to allow time to get your lunch and a seat. Lunch is $13. The TAC asks that all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, please wear a mask unless you are eating/drinking or presenting.
IF YOU PLANTO ATTEND IN PERSON, PLEASE RSVP TO KARYN SIEGRIST (KarynTAC@gmail.com) SO THAT TOWER LANES AND THE TAC MAY PROPERLY PREPARE FOR THE MEETING. THANK YOU.
Week 6 for the WIAA’s Athlete of the Week is a great week for Pierce County. There are 5 athletes honored from our area. Visit the WIAA’s page for all of the athletes and prior weeks honorees.
Congratulations to:
Matthew Davidson, Bonney Lake Golf: Davidson led the Panthers to a team title in the Pierce County League Golf Tournament. He posted a two-day total of 80, followed by an amazing ever par (72) at the difficult Eagle's Pride Golf Course. Bonney Lake will be competing in the West Central District Tournament at Trophy Lake Golf Course in May.
Cooper Faker, Concordia Christian Academy Soccer: Faker scored four goals on 10/18 against Evergreen Lutheran, playing center defender for the first half and striker for second half. In the previous game versus Rainier Christian, he notched a hat-trick to tie the game and netted an additional goal in the penalty-kick shootout. The junior is the team captain and an all-around leader. Additionally, he excels in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Junior Classical League, and serves as a school ambassador.
Logan Parejo, Franklin Pierce Tennis: Logan Parejo finished his senior year as part of the number one doubles team in league. He has compiled a 47-5 career record and went 13-1 this season. He also holds a 3.9 GPA and is the school's senior class vice president.
Alejandra Ruppe, Steilacoom Swim & Dive: Senior Alejandra Ruppe continued her undefeated streak in individual swim competition, winning all four of her races in State qualifying times. She has completed the rare "State Ironwoman" status by achieving State 2A qualifying times in all eight individual swimming events. Ruppe is currently ranked 1st in the State (2A) for 100 back and 200 free, 3rd in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, 4th in the 100 butterfly and 500 free, and 5th in the 50 and 100 free. She is an excellent team captain, leading dryland groups, helping notice swimmers, and inspiring teammates.
Joshua Wood, Graham-Kapowsin Football: Wood led the Eagles to a perfect 7-0 start by beating the previously undefeated Sumner Spartans. He completed 15-of-20 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns. He also had eight carries for 90 yards and two more touchdowns, as G-K won 41-14 in the South Puget Sound League match at Sunset Chev Stadium. He is also involved in multiple sports, the school's leadership program, and holds a 3.593 GPA. The senior continually is a great teammate, who works at his skills and sets high standard for those around him.
Congratulations to Isaac Looker, from Rogers High School, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Week 5 Athlete of the week for Football.
Looker, the Rams' starting quarterback, suffered a labrum injury last week on the opening kickoff. Unable to throw the ball, Looker was asked to play wide-receiver on his final home game and senior night. In his first game ever at wide-receiver, Looker ended with 11 catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Although the Rams fell short to Bethel, 19-23, he scored all three touchdowns and kept his team in the game while battling the injury.
Congratulations to Lincoln Nguyen from Lincoln High School, WIAA's Week 3 Athlete of the week.
Nguyen went 3-0 on the court last week with two victories at #1 singles and one victory at #1 doubles. His victories in singles were against Stadium and Bonney Lake, while his doubles win was against Lakes (6-0, 6-0). Nguyen is currently 5-0 and unbeaten on the regular season.
from the 1979 Girls 3A and 2A High School Basketball Tournament program
A female athlete growing up in the 1960s; the challenge of athletic competition dimmed in the face of finding the results in the newspapers the following day.
"Here! Here!" I can recall my father shouting: looking up over the rim of his magnifying glass. "Isn't this story about it? Right Here!" "No, dad," I'd say, lifting the paper to my better eyeball. "That's next Thursday's weather prediction for Haymarket, VA."
Some things are reluctant to change. It still takes a persistent hunter to find results of local girls' and women's competition in most of the Northwest's larger newspapers. Chris Evert's achievements may make a familiar headline, but Chris Smith's 13 strikeouts for the city softball championship most likely won't be known by anyone who wasn't at the game.
Although coaches of women's teams seem to think they have an ally when they hear the pitch of my voice on the phone, I have to give them the same answers they'd hear from the baritones: "No one apparently wants to know about it because no one goes to the games."
"Aha," they say. "But no one goes to the games because no one knows about it."
"Oh, shut up," I cleverly retort for want of having a better answer. If it's any consolation, women's sports are not alone. As the majority of readers demand to know the length of Dennis Johnson's toenails and an increasing number of subscribers can't sleep without knowing who assisted on the Washington Capital's eighth goal, the results of all amateur and youth sports shrink in type size.
What is encouraging is that the lack of media recognition apparently has not taken a major toll on the growth of women's sports. While I once prided myself in knowing both the other girl jocks in Seattle, now I'd use less breath running a mile than in reciting the list of local women involved in sports.
Not only has the number of participants changed, but so has the psychological style.
You could pick my peers out with a single glance. That girl with the basketball may not have looked like Tamara Press, but she sure felt like she did. I could never convince myself that I didn't have an anchor tattooed on my arm.
I recently watched a pair of girls' high-school age soccer teams kick each other in the shins on a cold, Sunday afternoon. There was a satisfaction in watching the skills, of course, but something even more pleasing in seeing the mental toughness.
A little blood, a little chill did not deter their aggressive attacks. They moved with a free-gaited confidence that made me wonder what could possibly stop them later in their pursuits as adults.
So, someday, maybe a voice at all newspapers will answer the phone with: "Girls' Basketball? Oh, good, we've been waiting for your call. You say you turned away how many thousand spectators at the gate?"
But it's going to be awhile — maybe a long, long while or maybe never.
In the meantime, the satisfaction from sports — for almost all high school girls, and for boys in all sports but Basketball and Football — will have to come from self-recognition.
For those who can't wait, my dad can give a good buy on a well-used magnifying glass.
During the September 9th meeting the TAC honored the Stanley’s Shoemen, the first West Coast team to win the World Series of Amateur Baseball. Pictured are: Jim Gallwas (3b), George Grant (SS), Earl Hyder, Jim Harney (2b), Doug McArthur, Mrs. McArthur, Mrs. Hyder
Club Information
Dedicated to the support of amateur sports and civic betterment in Pierce County
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Tower Lanes
6323 6th Ave
Tacoma, WA 98406 United States of America
