The fact that Washington State Legends of Soccer is marking its 10th anniversary this month 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.
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. Go for it.
