West Seattle, Washington
17 Wednesday
The photo and report are from Brian Callanan:
The High Point Pink Panthers took third place in the All-City volleyball tournament for 12- to 13-year-old girls!
We had girls from Our Lady of Guadalupe, Denny, Pathfinder, and Madison schools represented. Go, Panthers! Coached by Brian Callanan, Holly Branch. and Chris Edwards.
(October 2016 WSB photo of Coach Burggraff and family, including son Andrew Burggraff, class of ’17)
It is truly the end of an era at West Seattle High School, as longtime head football coach Tom Burggraff retires. Thanks to assistant coach Jeff Ursino for sharing the story:
After a career of service spanning back 26 years, Tom Burggraff has announced his retirement
as Head Football Coach at WSHS. Coach first made his announcement to his team in the WSHS locker room following the team’s season-ending playoff loss in Regionals.Coach Burggraff began his coaching career as an assistant with the State Champion Ingraham Rams in 1988. In 1992 Tom took over a WSHS (Indians) football team that had only one winning record in modern memory, and hadn’t seen anything resembling a playoff or title game since the 1960s. It took two years to get the first win, but his teams slowly improved their records to eventually build a perpetually competitive team, including a 7-2 team in 1999, and culminating in the 2006 team that was the first (and still only) WSHS football team to make it to the State Playoff 16-team bracket (with a victory over Eastside Catholic and an 8-win season).
Tom stepped aside after 2007, leaving behind a well-coached and athletic core of players who had much success over the next 3 years under coach Davis Lura (2008-2010). Tom was quickly drawn back into coaching by Bob Dowding at Seattle Lutheran (Bob had coached under Tom at WSHS before SLHS added a football program). In 2012-13, Bob was done coaching at SLHS, and the WSHS program had begun to flounder. With his son coming in as a Class of 2017 Freshman, Tom again took over a building project at WSHS in 2013.
It took two years of very hard work to rebuild a complete coaching staff, but by 2015 WSHS boasted a mix of old and new faces with well over 100 years of experience, and even in the face of a competitive division saw the team rebound to a 5-5 record, and a return of the Huling Bowl Trophy to WSHS.
This 2016 season saw the 2A WSHS team play through the SPS divisions at 5-1 and into the 3A playoffs matched up against the reigning State Champions, Eastside Catholic. The 2016 team finished with a 6-4 record, with each of those losses against teams ranked in the top-10 in state.
Tom is stepping aside after the 2016 season, after a coaching tenure of uncommon duration in Seattle Public Schools. The program will miss his ability to prepare teams to deliver their best possible performance, as well as his willingness to manage the extra challenges that come along with coaching in SPS. Tom also had a long tenure as a Head Track Coach at WSHS, including the team that finished second in State in 2008.
The 2016 football team graduates several key players with the class of 2017. This is the school’s 100th graduating class, and Coach Burggraff has worked at the school for over a quarter of that century. He will continue to teach Social Studies at the school. There is a good core of returning players, and the WSHS tradition will surely live on under the next head coach. The school has not announced when that selection process will begin.
(Family-provided photo, added November 14)
Back in August, we reported on a big night on the field for NFL player Aaron Grymes, a West Seattle High School alum who had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the year. We also mentioned at the time that the Eagles were due here in Seattle to face the Seahawks on November 20th. With that game just nine days away, Grymes is getting a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man roster, according to this Philadelphia Magazine report shared with us by his aunt Kim Gearon. The cornerback might have gained that status sooner, the Eagles’ head coach told the magazine, but was waived after the injury he suffered in that August game, following his attention-getting play. But before the Eagles’ trip to Seattle, Grymes, 25, is on the roster in time for their game this Sunday against Atlanta. He told CSN Philly that whatever his first play turns out to be, “It’s going to be nervewracking.”
The family of West Seattle High School Athletics star Nate Pryor – parents Maria and Tony, and sister Shoshana – looked on proudly late today as he signed his National Letter of Intent – he’ll be playing basketball on a full scholarship at Seattle University. WSHS head basketball coach Keffrey Fazio was beaming too:
And so were teammates:
Pryor is a senior point guard; you can see his stats here. He verbally committed to Seattle U last year, and now it’s official.
(WSB photos)
Chief Sealth International High School has played its final football game of 2016 – the annual Chris Kato Cup game vs. Cleveland, in honor of the late Shuzo Chris Kato, former Sealth principal and Cleveland vice principal. Read More
Play, and help, one week from today:
Contact Fred Lisko to sign up by Tuesday. Here’s more about the program he’s fundraising for (and leading).
No sun? No problem! Smiles were bright as the 2016 West Seattle Monster Dash 5K runners got Halloweekend going this morning at Lincoln Park. It’s a fundraiser for local Cooperative Preschools. First, this group gathered for warmups and a photo:
Tony’s Market was there to offer mini-pumpkins:
It’s not the Monster Dash without The Monster:
The event also features a fun run for kids and a costume contest; this is its fifth year!
With the Seahawks on the road, the biggest football event in the city happened at West Seattle Stadium this afternoon.
Hundreds came to watch as the Snoop Youth Football League and its founder, music and TV star Snoop Dogg, joined with Seattle Parks and local football organizations to present the first West Coast Clash. (Above is a play from the opening game, the Ravens vs. the Cowboys.)
As promised, Snoop was on the sidelines as the second game sent his Diamond Valley Steelers from Pomona, California, up against Seattle’s Rainier Ravens.
Snoop has been coaching youth football for more than a decade, as chronicled in an online documentary series earlier this year. He was being tracked by a Netflix crew during today’s event.
The celebrity coach wasn’t the only draw at today’s event – youth football-and-cheer leagues are popular in neighborhoods around the city, including ours.
Also spotted at WS Stadium today – Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, who is also, as the Seattle Globalist noted earlier this year, a youth football coach.
By the way, final score of the big game, per this online broadcast, Ravens 24, Steelers 7.
(WSB photos)
At Southwest Athletic Complex last night, what began with a celebration of Chief Sealth International High School seniors ended with the varsity football team’s first win of the year.
Final score – Sealth 44, Franklin 8. Star of the game was #8, sophomore Donnie McMillan, with four touchdowns:
Two interceptions resulted in TDs – first, in the second quarter, #3, junior Lavontae Maxwell picked off a pass from Franklin’s #1, freshman QB Milton Hopkins, and ran it back.
Then at the start of the second half, Sealth’s #5, junior Diego Jackson, also picked one off Hopkins and ran it in:
Sealth’s #11, freshman Bishop Jackson, also had a TD. All of Franklin’s scoring came in the last minute, a TD with a 2-point conversion.
As mentioned above, it was Senior Night for Sealth – congratulations to the seniors on head coach Luther Carr III‘s roster: Kyler Gaither, Colby Gemmill, Angelo Hererra, Yafiet Kidane, Basilio Leon-Roman, Chase McNelly, and Anh Trinh.
One “early” game for a local team this week: Chief Sealth International High School is still looking for its first football win of the season. Thursday night, the Seahawks played Cleveland at Southeast Athletic Complex. The Eagles won, 30-13. Next week for Sealth, it’s the annual Huling Bowl crosstown-rivals game vs. West Seattle HS, 7 pm Friday, October 14th, at Southwest Athletic Complex.
(WSB photos by Leda Costa)
Big crosstown match tomorrow in local high-school sports – West Seattle High School hosts Chief Sealth International High School in volleyball! To promote the clash of crosstown rivals, the Seahawks and Wildcats joined forces for a fun photo-op one recent sunny afternoon – staging a symbolic tug of war at Southwest Athletic Complex. With their school right across the street, the Seahawks, coached by Lorna Considine, were joined by mascot Sammy:
And here are the Wildcats, coached by Staci Stringer:
The Thursday varsity match starts at 7 pm at the West Seattle High School gym (3000 California SW), preceded by the junior-varsity faceoff at 5:30.
One week after the 3-alarm fire at the Lam-Bow Apartments on Delridge, we’ve just received word of a benefit event next week, on October 14th, when classes are out for Seattle Public Schools and the independent schools that follow its calendar. Just out of the WSB inbox:
Watts Basketball is passionate about helping the community making a difference in kids and families lives. As some of you know, there was a fire in West Seattle last week that affected the lives of many families in our community. To help those families in need, we are having a school’s-out clinic at Delridge Community Center on Friday, October 14th from 9 am-3 pm for grades 3rd-8th. There is a $65 registration/donation fee and the profits will be donated to the “Lam-Bow Fire Relief Fund”. Here are ways that you can donate:
· Register for the school’s-out camp: Go here
· Come in person and make a donation “Check payable to the Lam Bow Fire Relief”We would also appreciate any high-school kids coming in and volunteering to help out with the camp as well.
Let’s make a difference in our community!
The fire on September 27th did $3.3 million damage to more than 20 apartments in the Seattle Housing Authority-owned building and the belongings of the 44 people who lived in those apartments. SHA’s website has a page with donation information, where checks can be sent to the aforementioned fund; the community groups that have been collecting material donations say that volunteer sorting help is what they still need most (check in with Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
Deron Woods
Watts Basketball
901 Occidental Ave S. Suite 206, Seattle, WA 98101
Personal 425-606-1665 | Office 206-467-1383
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
That’s Seattle Lutheran High School #88, senior Josh Meyer, celebrating with his teammates after the pass that won their game against Rainier Christian in overtime this afternoon at West Seattle Stadium, 64-56. With a flawless first half, Rainier Christian looked in danger of running away with the game, but failed to keep the momentum going, and Seattle Lutheran scored the comeback win.
The Saints tied the game with 35 seconds to go in the fourth as senior Isaiah Dowding-Albrecht (above) ran the ball in for the touchdown (one of two he scored today) and senior Roberto Duenaz (below) made the two-point conversion. Read More
A touchdown by Chief Sealth International High School‘s #8 Dontae McMillan (above) kept the Seahawks from another shutout in last night’s game against Ballard at Southwest Athletic Complex. It happened less than a minute into the second quarter, and brought the score to 22-6, but after that, it was all Ballard, and the final score was Beavers 53, Seahawks 6. Other scenes from the stadium – the Sealth cheer squad performed with the kids who had attended last weekend’s Mini Cheer Camp:
The Sealth band arrived at the game in style, marching down the field:
Next week, CSIHS has a Thursday night game, 7 pm vs. Cleveland at Southeast Athletic Complex in Rainier Beach.
West Seattle High School is now 4-1 this football season, after another victory tonight. On the road, the Wildcats beat Cleveland, 57-29. Next week, it’s homecoming, 7 pm Friday, October 7th, vs. Liberty at SW Athletic Complex.
West Seattle High School‘s athletic director says their Friday night football game vs. Cleveland HS at Southeast Athletic Complex might have to be canceled because of the ongoing transportation problem with away games.
That’s what AD Trevor Leopold told the 20+ people at last night’s community meeting called to strategize how to get Seattle Public Schools to address the ongoing problem, which is affecting other schools too.
Patrick Sand covered the meeting for WSB: Read More
10 AM: The first-ever Orca Half (as in half-marathon) is happening right now, as the kickoff to today’s Seattle Summer Parkways “car-free” event on Alki. More than 400 runners are headed outbound to Lincoln Park and back to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where they started in two groups shortly after 9:30.
This means the road changes are on, too. Our photo is from Harbor Avenue at the bottom of the California Way hill, by Seacrest – if you are westbound on Harbor, you will be diverted uphill, because that’s where the water-side biking/running/walking-only lane begins. And once you get to 56th/Alki, the entire road is off-limits to cars (etc.) until 63rd. We’ll have as-it-happens coverage from Alki once everything gets going there around 11 am.
ADDED 10:37 AM: At least one runner had a mini-cheering section:
These are the finishers’ medals, waiting back at the start/finish line:
You’ll also see The Whale Trail – beneficiary of the run – there, with Mike the inflatable orca (who was still getting deployed when we left).
(WSB photos. Above, Sealth sophomore running back Donnie McMillan)
Tough night for Chief Sealth International High School last night in their second home game of the year at Southwest Athletic Complex. Garfield HS went home with a big win, 65-0. The night opened with high hopes for the home team, as the Sealth cheerleaders welcomed the players onto the field:
Garfield started piling up the points relatively quickly, ending the first quarter with a 21-0 lead. Despite what was happening on the field, the two schools had an exuberant collaboration at halftime, with their bands joining in the stands to perform together:
Another moment of shared appreciation happened before the game, when Sealth announcer Eddie Snead spoke warmly of Garfield, saying GHS had given him his first fulltime teaching job and CSIHS – where he teaches history – would surely be his last. As for football, Chief Sealth plays at home (SWAC) again next Friday night, 7 pm, vs. Ballard.
P.S. We covered Garfield’s pregame protest separately, here.
West Seattle High School is 3-1 on the season after a Friday night victory against Ballard High School. Final score at Memorial Stadium downtown was WSHS 36, Ballard 20. The Wildcats are on the road again next Friday night (September 30th), playing Cleveland at Southeast Athletic Complex at 5 pm.
7:27 PM: For the second consecutive Friday night, Garfield High School is the visiting opponent at Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle. And again before the game, its team and cheerleaders (in foreground of second photo below) knelt during the pre-game anthem:
No players from this week’s home team, Chief Sealth International High School, players joined in tonight (last week, seven West Seattle HS players did), though one person on the sidelines with them knelt:
Garfield’s team issued a statement this week to clarify the intent of its protest, which the team says it will continue at each game this season. We obtained the statement through GHS:
Recently Garfield High School’s football team took a knee at an evening game. In an effort to clarify their position and better articulate the thought behind it, Garfield’s Football Team held an inclusive meeting … to put the team’s position into writing.
Garfield Football Team – We have increasingly heavy hearts over various issues that have been escalating in the media.
Many of us have been touched in some way in our own personal lives by racism, segregation and bias.
Through a series of open, honest and supportive conversations we have reached a team consensus and understanding.
We have unanimously decided to take a position as a team and work towards a better future together. We are going to demonstrate this decision through taking a knee at our games.
We are asking for the community and our leaders to step forward to meet with us and engage in honest dialogue. It is our hope that out of these potentially uncomfortable conversations positive, impactful change will be created.
At this time, the Garfield High School Football Team is especially concerned with the following:
1. Equality for all regardless of race, gender, class, social standing and/or sexual orientation – both in and out of the classroom as well as the community.
2. Increase of unity within the community. Changing the way the media portrays crime. White people are typically given justification while other minorities are seen as thugs, etc.
3. Academic equality for students. Certain schools offer programs/tracks that are not available at all schools or to all students within that school. Better opportunities for students who don’t have parental or financial support is needed. For example, not everyone can afford Advanced Placement (AP) testing fees and those who are unable to pay those fees, are often not encouraged to enroll into those programs. Additionally, the academic investment doesn’t always stay within the community.
4. Lack of adequate training for teachers to interact effectively with all students. Example, “Why is my passion mistaken for aggression?” “Why when I get an A on a test, does the teacher tell me, ‘Wow, I didn’t know you could pull that off.’”
5. Segregation through classism.
6. Getting others to see that institutional racism does exist in our community, city, state, etc.
In an effort to find solutions and create impactful change, Garfield Football is stepping forward as leaders within the Garfield Community and Seattle. As a first step towards finding solutions, Garfield Football will be pursuing the following:
1. Meetings with the local police leaders to share personal experiences and hear from officers and leaders on what their experience is and what changes we might be able to work together on.
2. Meetings with students in classes where diversity is lacking. Speaking at assemblies and with local youth groups and/or programs.
3. Meetings with school staff to include teachers and administration. Embarking on open dialogue about what triggers the negative experiences and interactions.
Garfield Football has set a course of action and we will see it through. Together United and Garfield Strong. Our Garfield Football mandate is TOP. Totally Optimizing Potential and we will demonstrate TOP both on the field and off.
The game is under way now at SWAC and we will report on it separately after it’s over.
(Chief Sealth cheerleaders @ SWAC on September 2nd)
Students in kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to spend this Saturday (September 24th) at Chief Sealth International High School Cheer Camp, 11 am-3 pm:
You will learn a dance, basic arm motions, some Chief Sealth cheers, team bonding games, jumps, and stunts. You will have the opportunity to perform your dance with the Chief Sealth Cheerleaders during their home game (Sealth vs. Ballard) halftime show on September 30th at the SWAC. Come join us for the fun! …
The cost of the camp is $40 cash or check payable to “Chief Sealth Cheerleading” – it includes admission to the (Sept. 30) game and a T-shirt to wear for your performance!
Registration is due tomorrow (Friday) – you can e-mail Sealth cheer coach Tahreana Turner for a registration form – coachtahreanacsihs@gmail.com – then on Saturday, the cheerleaders will meet campers at the gym door (2600 SW Thistle)!
Even if you don’t have kids in Seattle Public Schools, you probably know that many schedules changed this year. West Seattle High School now starts about an hour later than it used to, and the WS Booster Club says the resulting district transportation plan “is unacceptable” – forcing students to leave class too early on “away” game days, so they’re marshaling support to go to the School Board. Here’s their message for you:
Dear Seattle Public School Families and Community:
We want to invite you to a very important meeting on Monday, September 26th, 7 pm, in the West Seattle High School library. We will be discussing the transportation issues affecting our students.
Our high school student athletes currently have to leave school at 1 pm for away events because of the Seattle School Districts transportation plan. This means they have to be dismissed at 12:45 pm, missing all of 5th and 6th periods, lunch, and part of 4th period as well. This is unacceptable and we need to do something about this.
The West Seattle Booster Club invites you to join us in taking our concerns to the Seattle School Board. We are inviting families, staff, PTSA, Booster Clubs, and community members from all of the Seattle High Schools to join our efforts.
On Monday, September 26th, we will learn more about these issues, discuss our plans moving forward, and coordinate our actions for the School Board meeting we will attend as a group. Please join us. The more voices they hear, the better the impact.
Thank you for your support!
~ West Seattle Booster Club
WSHS is at 3000 California SW.
A big day of golfing a few weeks ago resulted in big help for the regional nonprofit The First Tee of Greater Seattle, which shared the photo and report:
Two West Seattleites, Charlie Anderson and Stuart Martin, and their planning committee, raised more than $34,000 for The First Tee of Greater Seattle at the Chuck Diesel Invitational at West Seattle Golf Course on August 28. There were about 112 players who donated funds through player fees, sponsorship, a silent auction, and other fun ways.
The First Tee of Greater Seattle is a nonprofit that serves youth ages 5-18, by teaching them life skills and healthy habits through the game of golf. The First Tee of Greater Seattle serves more then 1,700 youth at 6 different courses and 85,000 youth in 185 schools in King County.
Interested in an invitation for the 2017 tournament? You can sign up here.
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