Steilacoom's Blair Taylor Field to be re-dedicated

The spotlight will be on Blair Taylor Field at Steilacoom High School on Friday, September 25. After 25-years, the complex received a major renovation including a new announcer's booth, installation of bleacher seating and handicap-accessible ramps to seating at the top of the stadium.

A tailgate party kicks off the celebration that afternoon, beginning at 4:30 p.m., according to Steilacoom High School's Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Andre Stout. It will feature a BBQ, sponsored by the SHS Booster Club and "will be held in the school's main parking lot", said Darrin Lowry, SHS’s Assistant Principal.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 6:45 p.m., with Steilacoom Mayor Ron Lucas and SHSD School Board Chairman Sam Scott doing the honors. The SHS choir will sing the National Anthem, and everyone is encouraged to join in on what will become "a tradition at all home games," Stout said.

“We’re beginning a lot of new traditions this year,” he continued, “such as encouraging community members and students from Steilacoom Historical School District other schools to wear SHS school colors to show their school spirit.”

Kick-off time for the Sentinels vs. Sequim is at 7 p.m., with a half-time show featuring SHS’s Band and Cheerleaders. “Plans are being finalized for a memorable evening,” Stout emphasized.

Stout and the coaching staff have also begin the first phase of SHS Athletic Support Program, an educational program designed to promote academic excellence among all school athletes.

There’s more. Besides the game and half-time show, plan to attend the BINGO fundraiser set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 in the school Commons.

In addition to the hectic challenges of BINGO, the evening features a Silent Auction where guests can place bids on one or more of several themed gift baskets: the Golf Basket, the Movie Basket, and the Car Wash basket, to name a few. Dinner that evening will be catered by Casa Mia of Lakewood.

Don’t miss out on this Big Event in Steilacoom.

Advance Tickets for Friday night’s game can be purchased in the School’s Activity office, at SHS. Game tickets are $6 for adults.

Tickets also may be purchased before the game at the SHS ticket office, just outside the field. Game parking is located in the lot behind the high school. Handicapped-access parking is limited to the lot on the school’s south side. “There is seating for persons with disabilities, and their guests,” Stout added.

So…the biggest question now is: What will you wear to the Game?

Note: Blair Taylor Athletic Fields were named in honor of Blair Taylor, the first superintendent of Steilacoom Historical School District. Taylor, a graduate of Pacific Lutheran College (now University) holds a still-unbroken record 100 yards (1939 against Linfield) for the longest kick-off return in the school’s football history.

In 1997 Taylor was inducted into PLU’s Hall of Fame.

Taylor taught History at Steilacoom Grade School, where he established the district’s first athletic program. He became principal of the School and then the District’s first Superintendent. During Mr. Taylor’s tenure, the district added two more schools: Cherrydale Primary and Saltar’s Point Elementary. Steilacoom Grade School was renamed Pioneer Middle School in 1962.

In 1980, Steilacoom High School was built. For more information about Taylor visit http://www.golutes.com/information/halloffame/1997

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