Welcome to the Mat-Su Sea Hawkers, Inc. Official Site
"Supporting Mat-Su Valley Youth Sports"
We are the Mat-Su chapter of the Sea Hawkers booster club, the
official booster club of the Seattle Seahawks. Furthermore, Mat-Su
Sea Hawkers, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit public charity,
established to support Mat-Su youth sport activities.
Both organizations are run by community minded volunteer fans who
love Mat-Su sports and Seahawks football. We run both
organizations for you, the fans.
- Sea Hawker Banquet
- Play 60 2013
- Raffle
- Sea Gal Visit
- Play 60
- Play 60 A Success
- Play 60
- 2011 acomplishments
- Frontiersman article
- Polar Plunge
Greetings, Sea Hawkers – The Seahawks 2013 football season is fast approaching. A fast & furious free-agency period and NFL draft have already blown by, and players are already reporting back to the VMAC for volunteer work outs and the OTA (organized team activities) – with summer training camp not far away.
I know that rabid Seahawk fans, and I speak for many, can hardly wait for the season to start. There continues to be a sense of “unfinished” business lingering in the air. You know what I mean, that “31” seconds that kept us from going into San Francisco and laying a beat down on those 40-Whiners. Believe me when I say, the Seahawk players feel this way too. Mamahawker and I were just down in Seattle for the Sea Hawkers annual boosters & award banquet, and had some personal time with players like Wide Receiver Doug Baldwin. While Doug asked attendees not to quote his exact comments, I will merely say (for Doug’s sake) that there is NO LOVE LOST between a certain coach & his 40-whiners and the Seahawks. This is building into quite a rivalry – so much so that the Seahawks home opener on September 15 is fast selling out, already. Ticket reseller prices are approaching prime-time playoff prices, and still going fast. This season is going to be amazing for Seahawk fans.
Speaking of the annual Sea Hawker banquet, those of you who have never gone, you should consider it sometime, they are a blast – For those wondering, the three individual awards voted on by the membership of all booster clubs, for the Seahawks Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Player of the Year, the awards went to Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Leon Washington. Additionally, Ronna Blomberg, a fabulous lady who runs the Renton Sea Hawkers and is Vice President of Membership for the Central Council, was awarded the honour of Sea Hawker of the Year. Believe me when I say that she is hard working and dedicated. Membership numbers have steadily increased, nationwide, under her (and the current council’s) efforts.
Lastly, here are some pictures from the banquet, the highlight of which is Mamahawker sharing her drink with Russell Wilson.
.
Mat-Su Play 60 The Mat-Su Sea Hawkers with Comunity Sports Inc, Mat-Su Health Foundation, and United Way of Mat-Su is proud to announce that we will be hosting a 3rd "Play 60" event in the Mat-Su Valley on July 11th. from 10:30 am untill 2:30 pm.
Who: Kids ages 8-18
Limited to the first 250 registrants.
Each participant will receive an event t-shirt and lunch.
Event time is 10:30 am to 2:30 pm with check in starting at 10:00 am.
There is no cost for this event, the event is free but you will need to register and print out your ticket, your ticket will allow entrance on the day of the event. (you will have the option to print your ticket from the confirmation page once you have completed the registration form)
Register Now!
Congratulations - RAFFLE WINNERS
Grand Prize: ROBIN COURSEN
Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings
Centurylink Field – November 04, 2012
3 game tickets (Sec 138, Row H, Seats 3, 4, 5) &
1 night Marriott Hotel, Courtyard – Lake Union
**Airfare and ground transportation not included**
Second Prize: LORETTA ENGLISHBEE
Seahawks Autographed Football
Third Prize: BRANDON WILLIAMS
Seahawks Autographed Mini-Helmet
Thank you to all those who purchased & sold tickets for the raffle - Your annual participation makes our youth the real winners.
Respectfully,
Tom Spindler, President
We would like to thank Sea Gal Carli for making the trip to Alaska and taking the time to spend with us in the Mat-Su, Carli is a huge fan favorite here in the valley and well received by all.
For all our Seahawk friends - Please look up Sea Gal Carli and like her Facebook page - She is in a contest and we would like to help her boost her numbers -
GO SEA HAWKERS!!
By Tom Spindler
President, Mat-Su Sea Hawkers
Summer break is upon us. In fact, for some, it is nearly over. The Seahawks break between spring OTA’s and summer training camp is a very small window for the players and the organization. They work to accomplish many personal plans, and yet give time to engage the 12th Man in their respective communities for a host of charity activities. And all of this occurs before the grind of another NFL season locks them down in Seattle for the remainder of the year.
In truth, there is little “down time” for the Seahawks, and for many 12th Man boosters - i.e., Sea Hawkers. Many players continue with personal training and rehab needs, and they help their teammates and personal communities with various youth camps throughout the United States.
The Seahawks organization is also busy engaging community outreach efforts in their local marketplace: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Similarly, the Sea Hawker booster club chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, and the UK are busy carrying out community and goodwill efforts in an effort to support 12th Man needs and help promote the Seahawks as a whole.
From June 23 to July 3, the Seahawks organization invested significant time and resources visiting and interacting with its Alaska fan base, charities, and youth sport activities as part of their annual 12th Man Tour. Not including the months of logistical planning, the following is an account of that tour.
The 12th Man Tour arrives; (l-to-r) Mike Flood, Todd Wash, Tom Spindler, Matt McCoy
June 28, 11:35 AM – One of the largest contingents of Seahawks to visit Alaska in recent memory arrives at Anchorage Airport: Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin; Vice President of Community Outreach Mike Flood; Assistant Director of Community Outreach Connie Cate; Community Outreach Asst. Keli Imus; Defensive Line Coach Todd Wash; Seahawks players Kris Durham, Heath Farwell, Matt McCoy, Josh Portis; and Sea Gals Brittany and Geraldine.
They hit the airport's exit door, and for the next five days did not stop in engaging the Alaskan public.
12:10 PM – 35 minutes after arriving in Alaska, the first stop is ABC Alaska Coastal Television for a quick interview.
Matt McCoy (left) & Todd Wash (right) visit patients at the Alaska Native Medical Center
1:15 PM – It's off and running to the Alaska Native Medical Center, where they spend time visiting sick and injured Alaska Native children and their families who have traveled to Anchorage from all reaches of Alaska, seeking care for their families. The Seahawks enjoy a strong fan following among the Native people of Alaska.
Visiting Children’s Hospital at Providence
2:45 PM - Next stop is Children’s Hospital at Providence for more interaction with patients and staff.
Time elapsed since their arrival in Alaska is roughly five hours. Of course, this is not including the time it took to get out of bed and fly to Alaska earlier in the day. Suffice to say, the team has already put in a 10-hour day, and they are only half-way through the first day’s itinerary.
4:30 PM - We're at a one-hour autograph session for a corporate partner visit at the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. And then, finally, at 5:30 pm, we're enroute to the Mat-Su Valley, where the team is hosted at the home of Mat-Su Sea Hawkers board treasurer Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kennedy for the pre-event Play 60 volunteer’s BBQ. A little down time at last.
10:00 PM - And just when you figure the travelers would be weary and ready for a good dose of sleep, it seems the never-ending supply of Alaska daylight has many of our guests ready to explore a little Alaska “night life” with some of the local 12th Man Seahawks fans.
June 29, 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM - Day two is underway, with radio interviews with players, Sea Gals and Seahawks management, before another full day of Mat-Su Play 60 Challenge activities. And then it's time for some Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation interaction, a public appearance with more Alaska Seahawks fans at Excalibur Sports back in Anchorage, and then an awesome fundraiser at the ConocoPhillips building to help the island community of Kodiak with costs for its football field renovation and team program. The Seahawks and local Sea Hawker boosters (Mat-Su and Midnight Sun), in collaboration with ConocoPhillips Alaska, Special Olympics Alaska, and ABC Coastal Television, raised approximately $21,000.00 for the community of Kodiak, as it works to revamp its football infrastructure and team needs.
Meeting fans at Excalibur Sports; Geraldine & Brittany lead the girls in a routine
June 30, 8:50 AM – 9:00 PM - Day three and we're off to Kodiak. Otherwise known as the "Island Terrific in the Pacific", but more commonly known to those outside Alaska as fleet headquarters for the crews and boats of the TV series Deadliest Catch, as well as Coast Guard Base Alaska, former home of retired Coast Guard Commander and current Seahawks Vice President of Community Outreach, Mike Flood.
(left) Visiting Coast Guard Base Alaska; (right) A fundraiser at the ConocoPhillips building
The kids take part in the Mat-Su Play 60 Challenge
All in all, the Seahawks made a great impression and many new fans in Alaska. And the Alaska 12th Man? Well, let’s just say the Seahawks organization went away with a whole new appreciation for the Alaska fans and their community efforts.
GO HAWKS!
By JEREMIAH BARTZFrontiersman.comMat-Su Valley Frontiersman | 0 comments
PALMER — With the presence of the Mat-Su Sea Hawkers, members of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks know the “12th man” stands strong in Southcentral Alaska. Friday, the two groups teamed to help make sure local youth will be standing strong in the future.
With the help of the Seahawks organization, the Mat-Su Sea Hawkers, Community Sports Inc. and United Way of Mat-Su combined to host the second annual Play 60 Challenge at the AT&T Sports Center.
About 200 children ages 8-18 participated in the Play 60 event, a nationally recognized program introduced by the NFL in 2007 to promote health and physical fitness, and combat rising obesity rates in the United States. In addition to a group of local volunteers, a handful of representatives from the Seahawks were at the Sports Center, working through a variety of drills and exercises with the kids. Four current Seahawks players — quarterback Josh Portis, linebackers Mike McCoy and Heath Farwell, and wide receiver Kris Durham — participated in the program, alongside Seahawks defensive line coach Todd Wash, and cheerleaders Geraldine Lirio and Brittany Talbott.
“This is the largest group we’ve ever had,” Mat-Su Sea Hawkers president Tom Spindler said. “Plus, the senior management, that’s awesome.”
Seahawks team president Peter McLoughlin also made the trip. Vice president of community relations and special projects Mike Flood attended the local Play 60 Challenge for the second consecutive year.
Spindler said he was excited to see members of the Seahawks front office attend the event with the players and cheerleaders.
“It speaks to our credibility in their eyes,” Spindler said.
McLoughlin and Flood both praised the efforts of the local nonprofit groups.
“The Mat-Su Sea Hawkers and also Community Sports are a huge factor making this whole thing happen,” Flood said. “For us to have that kid of tie in a community is a big deal. When you’re coming from as far away as we are, there’s no way we could organize this up here the way a local community can do it.”
Flood said the Mat-Su chapter of the team’s booster club is as strong as he’s seen.
“We have great booster clubs all over the world actually, but the Mat-Su club is probably the most organized community force of any booster club we have,” Flood said.
The Seahawks have built a tradition of recognition for the “12 man,” which recognizes the importance of the fans’ support of the 11 players on the field. McLoughlin, making his first trip to the 49th state, said it’s easy to see the support of the Seahawks in Alaska.
“It’s great to see such support up here for the Seahawks. (Alaska’s) definitely part of our NFL territory,” McLoughlin said. “It’s great to see the enthusiasm for the NFL and the Seahawks all the way up here in Alaska.”
McLoughlin said he’s also been impressed with the efforts of the Sea Hawkers, which works throughout the year to support a number of local causes.
Each of the players and cheerleaders were making their first trips to Alaska. In addition to being mesmerized by the state’s scenery and surprised by the amount of daylight, each was eager to work with the kids participating in the program.
“I’ve participated in functions similar to this in the past. It’s always a good cause, give back to the community, be with the children,” said Durham, a second-year wide receiver from the University of Georgia. “It’s always exciting for me.”
McCoy, a veteran linebacker from San Diego State, said it’s good to see kids get active.
“That’s the first step in sports in general. Get active, play, figure out what you want to do,” McCoy said.
Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com, find him at twitter.com/matsu_sports and find him by searching Valley Sports Huddle on Facebook.
MAT-SU SEA HAWKERS BOOSTER CLUB PRESENTS THE SUMMER PLAY 60 EVENT
The Mat-Su Sea Hawkers with Comunity Sports Inc and United Way of Mat-Su is proud to announce that we will be hosting a 2nd "Play 60" event in the Mat-Su Valley, the event will be held at the AT&T sports center located at 1507 North Double B Street, Palmer.
In attendance will be players and cheerleaders from the Seattle Seahawks, as well as Seattle Seahawk defensive line coach Todd Wash, President / Seahawks, Sounders FC, and First & Goal Inc. Peter McLoughlin, and Seahawks Vice President of Community Relations & Special Projects, Mr. Mike Flood, and Community Outreach Assistant Director, Connie Cate.
Registration will be $10.00 per attendee and will include an event t-shirt and lunch, you can register by clicking below.
Greetings, Mat-Su Sea Hawkers –
I want to communicate my personal thanks to the membership; especially to those whose unwavering volunteer efforts and personal donations make Mat-Su Sea Hawkers what it is today; a successful youth sport support organization. Examples noted below include some of our community actions for 2011:
Mat-Su Sea Hawkers Specific:
- Mat-Su recognized by the Seattle Seahawks organization at the Sea Hawker national level
- Maintained above 100 members – 125 paid members for 2011
- Raised over $10,350 in corporate donations and nearly $3,000 by raffle, for supporting youth sports
- Received $22,431.69 in new grant funds for board training and community collaborative programs
- Utilized Foraker Group to help create & implement a 5-year Strategic Plan, and thereof accomplished all short-term goals and objectives on or before deadlines.
2011 Youth Specific Donations:
- Student assistance - Denali Gymnastics – Lesson completion fees - $500
- Mat-Su Ski Club – Student Equipment & Training Needs - $500
- Wasilla High School Girls Softball - $500
- Mat-Su Youth Baseball – Organization sponsorship - $465
- High School Student Scholarship - $500
- Wasilla Waves Swim Team – Team Travel Costs - $500
- MYFA (Mat-Su Youth Football Association)– Organization/Team Sponsorship - $300
- Pop Warner Football – Mitey Mites #2 - $300
- Wasilla Swim & Dive Team – Team Travel Cost - $500
- Wasilla High School Wrestling Club – Travel Costs - $500
- Wasilla High School Soccer Club – Organization Sponsorship - $500
- Student assistance - Punt Pass & Kick competition travel cost - $250
- Student assistance - Punt Pass & Kick competition travel costs - $250
Community Contributions:
- NFL Play 60 Challenge – Seahawk Alum’s, cheerleaders, mascot, interaction with 300+ youth
- Children’s Hospital Anchorage – Seahawk Alum’s, cheerleaders, mascot visit with local youth
- Alaska Native Medical Center - Seahawk Alum’s, cheerleaders, mascot visit with local youth
- Special Olympics Alaska - Seahawk Alum’s, cheerleaders, mascot visit with local youth athletes
- Special Olympics Alaska - Polar Plunge Fundraiser - $500
- Night Courts program - $500.00
- Mack Strong’s TeamWorks program - $1000
- Mat-Su: Relay for Life - Raised over $1,100 for cancer awareness
- Punt Pass & Kick - Competition operation & volunteers
With my sincerest appreciation and regard,
Thomas M. Spindler, President
Mat-Su Sea Hawkers, Inc.
-
Here is the article as printed in the Frontiersman by Jeremiah Bartz.
I hate the dumb jock stereotype.
I despise it actually.
Sadly, there are some who perpetuate this stereotype, but there are many more who prove it to be completely wrong.
Four years ago, I created the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Student-Athlete of the Year award to recognize local student-athletes who
have excelled in academics and athletics.
The focus is almost always on athletic achievement. While that is warranted, more attention needs to be paid to the academic
accomplishments of athletes and those who don’t even participate in sports. With this annual set of stories, I aim to take a step in that
direction.
In four years, I’ve had the opportunity to profile eight local student-athletes who have done remarkable work at their respective schools.
While there are many, many more who deserve recognition, I’ve been happy to share the stories of these eight students with our
readers.
This year, we had the chance to choose from another outstanding group of nominees. The activities directors of the four major area
high schools — Colony, Houston, Palmer and Wasilla — nominated a male and female senior student athlete. The nominees — Colony
graduates Shellina Irwin and Greg Michaelson, Houston graduates Garrett Elder and Amber Acton, Palmer graduates Kendal Venzke
and Tim Rockey and Wasilla graduates Paul Sliwa and Cori Schleich — were all excellent candidates who accomplished great things
during their time in high school.
This year, we have a pair of winners who may not be seen as typical student-athletes.
Kendal Venzke could be one of the best overall female athletes Palmer High has produced in recent memory. She was named all-
conference in three different sports, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. But she’s also a humble person who is quick to
embrace the team.
Tim Rockey has a list of extracurricular activities a mile long. He was a top baseball player at Palmer, but his work in his school and
community made him a winning candidate.
This year, the Frontiersman partnered with the Mat-Su Sea Hawkers to recognize these students. The Sea Hawkers not only root for
their beloved Seahawks, but members of the local nonprofit also strive to support Mat-Su youth sports and activities.
I hope this is an annual tradition that continues to grow. We’re proud to recognize the accomplishments of our local student-athletes
and congratulate the winners and the nominees.
Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him at twitter.
com/matsu_sports.
3-sport standout named top girls' athlete
Mat-Su Sea Hawkers Take A Plunge for a Cause
Mat-Su Sea Hawker Board Members Tom Spindler, Dan Kennedy, Rick Allen and JonPaul Campbell all braved the cold and took the plunge in Goose Lake to help support Special Olympics with a $500.00 donation.
.
