By Tom Rohrer
A lot can happen in eighteen years. Multiple Presidents takes the oath in the Oval Office. Technology fads develop quickly and fade out quicker. And, professional athletes switch teams many times over.
But, for nearly two decades a local team has been able to consistently win and have a fun time doing it.
Since 1994, Jason’s Crawford’s team, Crawford Services, has been playing in the Olympia Parks and Recreation volleyball league. The team has seen changes in the league, such as when the competition switched from six players on the court to four, but the core of the team has remained intact.
Crawford now has two teams, one that plays on Monday nights, and the other Thursdays, in the Reverse B and B League divisions respectively.
Monday’s team consists of Crawford, Cody Hill, Wynne Scherf, Kim Pagel, and Travis Frazier, while Thursday’s squad is rounded out by Crawford’s sister Stacey, Jayce Butler and Sabrina Hoeks. Playing in the league for an extended period of time has been a great experience for Jason Crawford, and he’s enjoyed the friendships he has forged with teammates throughout the years.
“To be honest, we’ve just been able to get along well and being able to play together well is just a byproduct of our relationship,” said Jason Crawford, a native of Tumwater who now lives in McCleary. “We’ve played so many of the same teams over and over. You just naturally end up becoming friends with your opponents as well. That’s something I’ve really enjoyed.”
Crawford estimates that his teams have won around 17 championships over the course of their time in the year round leagues (half of the year Crawford Services plays through the Lacey Parks and Recreation). He credits their teamwork and camaraderie as the reason for that success.
“Part of the reason I enjoy playing is the fact that as we play together more, we get better,” Crawford said.
“I haven’t been playing with them that long, but we played together every week, and it just became good fit,” said Scherf, who joined the team last year. “They let me come in and it was a pretty natural transition. We’ve been able to play well together.”
It should be no surprise that Stacey and Jason have been able to use their sibling relationship to their advantage. The athletic brother and sister combo grew up participating in athletics together and enjoy the opportunity to compete on the same team.
“For sure I think that helps, us growing up together, competing together,” Stacey Crawford said. “But we’ve played with other teammates awhile too so it’s not like we specifically play well together. It’s a team wide thing.”
“The more quality time you get to spend with family, the better,” Jason Crawford added.
Throughout their years competing, Crawford Services has been able to develop family style relationships with league officials.
“We love them, they stay the same, they’re family members basically,” Stacey Crawford said of the Olympia Parks and Recreation staff. “Everyone has just been really fun and nice.”
“The people who run the show, they’re just great people to be around,” Jason Crawford said. “Also, when they switched to (a four person team format), I think that was a positive change. There is a lot more action now, and more opportunities for each person to hit the ball.”
The officials at Olympia Parks and Recreation agree.
“They are great, just really fun to be around,” said Angie Benzschawel, who’s been a gym supervisor for Olympia Parks and Recreation for ten years. “As time goes on, they still are able to have fun and keep the atmosphere light. They make everyone laugh.”
While the team has been able to win consistently in the league, they have not sacrificed sportsmanship for performance.
“That’s something we try to do and honestly, we do a good job at it,”said Pagel, who’s been playing with Hill and the Crawford’s for 15 years. “We say good luck before a game and always give a cheer after.”
“Sportsmanship is what we emphasize the most and I think everyone is proud of that,” Jason Crawford said. “It’s great, because I’ve played with people with bad sportsmanship. That’s not what it’s about.”
Unlike other sports that require high amounts of running, which can be damaging on joints, volleyball can be played at a relatively high level for multiple decades. As the teams look forward to the next 20 or so years, it appears Crawford Services isn’t going anywhere.
“I don’t want to put a limit on how long I’ll play, but I know it will be for at least another ten or so years,” Stacey Crawford said.
“Honestly, I know we will play until we can not play anymore,” Jason Crawford said. “I don’t know when that will be, but I know it isn’t anytime soon.”
For more information on recreational sports coordinating by the Olympia Parks and Recreation, visit their website.
