Life Changes: a farewell from Frank Workman

Frank Workman and grandbaby Emma

When my then 8 year old son Tim came home with a Shorecrest Football Big Buddy/Little Buddy sign-up sheet during the first week of school in 1993, little did I know at the time how it would change my life.

We signed him up and went to the first football game of the season, and I’ve been going to Shorecrest games ever since.

That first SC game reminded me of being a third-grader myself when Bob Russell’s dad loaded up a bunch of us boys into his station wagon and took us to watch the local team, our future high school, play.

The lights, excitement and enthusiasm took my breath away.

Nearly sixty years later, it still does.

Later in the fall of ’93, we watched the Scots’ girls’ soccer team win State. Mindy Dalziel (nee’ Falor), now the SC coach, played an instrumental role in securing the championship banner that hangs in the gym today.

The next spring we watched Tim’s Big Buddy, Jason Wieg, play for the Scots baseball team, under the brilliant coaching of the legendary Stan Taloff. We followed the Scots’ diamond fortunes for years until it was Tim’s time to play for the green-and-gold.

In 1995 the local Little League let it be known they were looking for a new Umpire-in-Chief. When I expressed an interest, they all but sent a limousine to pick me up, to have me put it in writing, lest I come to my senses and change my mind. I served five of six years, umpired hundreds of games, and got to meet and become friends with more players and parents than I can remember.

Five years later, Alisa Milner (of the fiddling Milner family) invited us to watch her Scots basketball team play. The gym was packed, the band was playing, and the effort, grace, and teamwork were awe-inspiring. I became hooked on girls’ basketball.

In the process, I met Henry Akin and Scott Farquhar, whose daughters played hoops for the Scots. Years after their girls’ graduations, we still go to games and then rehash them afterwards at the malt shop. I’m not sure which is more fun, the games or the malt shop.

In time, I was handed a microphone by our brilliant District Athletic Director Don Dalziel. A dozen years ago I got to introduce the award winners at the Shoreline Invitational Track Meet. Later I was asked to do the Public Address for all the other events at the stadium, and for SC boys’ and girls’ basketball as well. My thanks to Short Pants Steve Pouley for showing me the PA ropes.

In the fall of 2007, I was given the opportunity to call the play-by-play of a televised SC football game for the district on Channel 26, as part of the Live Video Production Club. After that game, SW’s Marty Ballew and SC’s Trent Mitchell took me aside and asked if I announced soccer games too. I lied and said yes. The next week we aired our first soccer game.

Ten years and ninety games later (with upwards of 25 different students calling the action with me, including the great Joe Veyera who announced two dozen of them alongside me), it’s time to pass the microphone to someone else. I can’t run or jump or throw anymore, but I seem to be able to talk up a storm. I am indebted eternally to Marty and Trent for giving me the chance to live out a dream, and to be able to put the spotlight on our high school athletes.

Along the way, I would crank out articles for our local publications, including the Seattle Times and the dearly departed Enterprise. At first they were usually game reports of Tim’s Little League All-Star games. Commentary columns followed.

Lately I’ve been given a forum here in the Shoreline Area News, thanks to Diane Hettrick. Whenever she needs content in the worst way, I’ve been just the guy to give it to her.

You, too, can help fill space in this publication. Just submit your offerings to editor@shorelineareanews.com.

Diane’s batting 1.000 with me when it comes to publishing my efforts. If your teams or other interests aren’t getting coverage, don’t complain about it, do it your own self.

All these new avenues I pursued in the last 25 years ---HS sports fan, umpire, public address / play-by-play announcer, and writer, were changes in my life I didn’t see coming.

Changes, disguised as opportunities, await us all.

Now a new change awaits for me---- being a grandparent. My wife and I have pulled up stakes and moved to San Diego. We want to be close to Tim and his beautiful wife Jena, who have blessed us with a pair of granddaughters.

I’ve spent the better part of the last twenty-five years watching other people’s kids (and grandkids) play games. I want to be on the sidelines watching Emma and Rosie when it’s their turn to take the field.

I sure want to thank all the young athletes (past, present, and future) whose exploits have excited, enthused, and inspired me.

You may not be able to hear me, but I’ll always be cheering for you.

--Frank Workman