Paul Rothrock and Jordan Morris field questions from Brian Schmetzer during Eras of Legends (2025).
The fact that Washington State Legends of Soccer is marking its 10th anniversary this October is something to celebrate. Most small businesses fail before their eighth trip around the sun. Adding a pandemic into the equation won’t help.
Yet a quick study of those behind WA Legends and their longevity in The Game and a steadfast commitment to pressing forward and a proud, supportive surrounding community practically made this milestone inevitable. Not easy, just inevitable.
WA Legends first awarded scholarships in 2019.
A survey of the executive board would find a dozen or so people who have stuck to soccer in some extremely lean times, doggedly stayed the course and ultimately prospered. We have witnessed the birth, death and rebirth of local professional and semipro clubs, the immense popularity among fans along with years of waning support.
Three Pillars
The three pillars of WA Legends’ mission – preserve, celebrate and inspire – have been faithfully manifested. There is historical research, curation and the sharing of our state’s countless, proud accomplishments in an innovative, free online museum. Several community events have brought Legends supporters together to see and hear the history makers themselves. The proceeds from those events are poured back into the museum, but just as importantly, into scholarships for in-need youth around Washington. That number will surpass 40 in 2027.
Whether WA Legends will make it to the next major milestone will depend on sustaining the level of support, continuing to make our history interesting and compelling and identifying and convincing the next generation to grasp the baton.
Online Museum, Version 2.0
Already during this anniversary month, WA Legends has launched the 2.0 version of the online museum. Milestones, photos and videos are now shareable on social media. Likes and rating stars have been added. It remains a sticky site, meaning that visitors tend to go down one search path, then diverge and soon find themselves in a rabbit hole.
The next community fundraising event is tentatively set for spring, but Legends is also looking into more grassroots gatherings, with no or nominal admission.
Over the past couple weeks, a phone survey of soccer media and historians from around America produced some potential new initiatives. It was gratifying to field compliments on the museum and, partly as a consequence, greater awareness of Washington’s immense contribution to American soccer’s development, be it at the youth, scholastic, collegiate, professional or international level.
Suggestion Box
Among the suggestions for new endeavors:
• A physical display of artifacts at a stadium, public space or business with existing soccer traffic
• Leaning into our local history in the pre-professional era and bringing it out of the shadows
• Development of a new hall of fame, recognizing the best of the best builders, coaches and players
• Crowdsourcing campaigns for specific projects such as video restorations
Ultimately, that will be up to the board and whether the community values what Legends offers. That means you can have your say.
Our 10-Year Timeline
February 2015 – Logo created and social media accounts established
June 2015 – Historic photo tiles installed at The Ninety, Women’s World Cup watch party co-hosted with Reign
September 2016 – Series of video interviews with community icons commences
October 2016 – File to incorporate and host initial community fundraiser with screening of Bo66y at The Ninety
February 2017 – Host this Is Your Life: Brian Schmetzer at the Market Arms
August 2017 – Partner with Sounders to celebrate Soccer Bowl ’77 team’s 40th anniversary
September 2018 – Publish first book, Seattle Pacific 50th Anniversary history
December 2018 – Launching website landing page and online museum goes live
March 2019 – A Night with Alan Hinton & Friends raises sufficient funds to begin scholarship program, with first two awards presented in July
August 2019 – From Washington to the World Cup held at The Ninety, with panelists including several past members of U.S. Women’s National team
December 2020 – Conversation with a Legends series begins on YouTube
April 2021 – Learning from the Pros live webinar on YouTube
July 2021 – Conversation with a Legends/ Olympics Edition series begins on YouTube October 2021 – Jimmy Gabriel Memorial Scholarship fund formed
May 2022 – Curate Title IX 50th anniversary exhibit for the Sounders
December 2022 – Why History Matters series begins on YouTube
May 2024 – Curate exhibit for Sounders’ 50th anniversary
October 2024 – An Evening with Cliff McCrath held in Bellevue
July 2025 – Curate exhibit for Sounders’ 1995 Throwback game
November 2025 – Eras of Legends, Hosted by Brian Schmetzer held in Renton
June-July 2026 – Eight World Cup booth activations in Everett, Tacoma and Seattle
