Tumwater Athletics Supported By Dedicated Fans

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By Tom Rohrer

Without athletes, sports fans would have nothing to cheer for.  And without fans, the athletes would have no one to play for.

Fans, whether fanatical or reserved, are a vital part of sports and athletics, and without their dedication and passion, athletics across the world would not be the same.

Fans of Tumwater High School athletics form one of the most dedicated fan-bases in Washington State, as T-Bird supporters travel far and wide to see the various teams of THS.

Having talented teams that advance far into the playoffs will help bring in the fans, and the T-Birds have had athletes from four teams in the fall-season alone advance into the state tournament (girls swimming, girls soccer, volleyball and football).

This weekend, plenty of green-and-yellow clad supporters will flock to the Tacoma Dome, as Tumwater will take on Lynden High School for the 2A state football title at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The T-Birds are looking to win their second state championship in three years, as they won the 2A crown over Archbishop Murphy in 2010.  Lynden is the defending 2A champion, and has won the title three of the last four years. Longtime Tumwater head coach Sid Otton has won five state titles during his tenure.

The vast tradition of athletic success has created a dedicated fan-base, which shares the same morals and competitive fire of the athletes they cheer for.

“The teams are easy to root for because they’re a familiar part of this community,” said Carol Yett, who has been following Tumwater sports for around 35 years.  “The kids are good kids, and they will play hard regardless of what the sport is.”

Yett, along with her husband Duane, travel to almost every THS athletic event, regardless of where it’s being played.  Yett’s children, now in their fifties, all played sports at Tumwater High, and her granddaughter Kelsey, was part of the T-Bird state championship fastpitch team in 2006.  The green and yellow colors never run within the Yett family tree.

“Even though my children and grandchildren have graduated, we still try to go to as many games as possible,” Yett said. “I’ll always try to wear green, even at home.  So many of the kids on the teams are second or third generation athletes, and you’ve seen them grow up in front of your eyes.  It’s like a family.”

That family like atmosphere has always been a part of the Tumwater football team, even in the early days of the program.

Jim Ishihara was the starting quarterback for the first T-birds football team in 1961, and by time he graduated in 1964, Ishihara had led Tumwater to its first ever league championship.  While the game itself may have evolved, Ishihara has seen no such change in the communities support of the team.

“The community has always been supportive and the student body enthusiasm hasn’t changed,” Ishihara said. “At almost every game, home or away, we have more fans than the other team.  It’s impressive.”

Ishihara believes the coaching stability provided by Otton helps keep and bring in fans to the program.

“The stability of the coaching is s real key factor.  Areas with consistently good programs have good consistent coaches,” He said. “Here, you can tell that the players and fans both buy into the coaches and there is that familiarity and consistent stability.  It’s almost comforting.”

For years, Carol Yett would ring the cowbell brought over from Poland to Washington by her grandfather at Tumwater High School sporting events

While the Tumwater fans may feel comfortable, opposing teams must handle the noise and enthusiasm delivered by the T-Bird fans.  For years, Yett would ring a yellow cow-bell at Tumwater soccer and football games.  The bell, which was brought over to Aberdeen from Poland by Yett’s grandfather, now sits in Yett’s home, with the memories of games past sitting inside.

“I’m sure a lot of people got headaches from it, but it was a tradition, and that’s what we enjoyed about it.  It was part of our game, and our fans,” she said.

Ishihara can draw parallels to this year’s Tumwater team from his playing days during the development of the program.

Our first year we didn’t win any games and the second year we went 4-4-1,” He said. “Our senior year we won the league championship and that’s really a model for anyone or any team. That’s what I still see permeating. It really revs up my engine when I see these games.”

Yett, who like Ishihara will be in the Tacoma Dome stands on Saturday, says that Tumwater’s community is like that of a family, a family she is proud to be a part of.

“We’re a small community, so we have a lot of pride in each other and what we do,” Yett said. “It’s about being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself but still includes and supports you as an individual and nobody can take that away from you.  It’s safe to say I’m a T-Bird nut.”

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