One specialty crop remains: UW football stars

Originally published Saturday, September 13, 1997

By JACK HOPKINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

One thing they still grow in Puyallup, however, is football players for the University of Washington. Paul Sulkosky, Chuck Bond, Billy Joe Hobart and Damon and Brock Huard are just a few who have achieved fame on the Husky gridiron.

Puyallup residents have always had an affection for football, although not always for the same reasons.

"I think there was a high level of interest in the community for many years because there wasn't much else to do and the high school was the highlight and main function in a small backwater community," says Stoner. "It seems like Friday nights were the big nights in town because that's when you went to football games."

Now people go because the players are just so darn good and the games exciting, even though there's no lack of competing activities.

Stoner credits a string of impressive coaches with raising the level of high school football, but he wonders whether the football spirit can continue at such a high level.

Where once there was only Puyallup High, now there are three high schools fielding football teams. That makes for divided loyalties.

"People are more mobile, too, and that does definitely weaken community spirit," says Stoner.

Continued:

• As community grows, country flavor remains
• Focus shifts away from agriculture
• Drawing industry, preserving open space both priorities