The cheer of the crowd at Friday night’s Viking football game was for much more than just winning touchdowns. October 30 marked the final football game that would be played in the 31-year-old stadium.

Over a hundred past football players, cheerleaders and band members were recognized during halftime along with school board members, Superintendent David Burgess, Lake Stevens High School Principal Ken Collins, Director of Facilities and Operations Robb Stanton, Senator Steve Hobbs and City Councilmember Suzanne Quigley.

Quigley played an instrumental role in getting the 2005 school bond passed, which included funds to remove the existing stadium and replace it with a 2,600 seat stadium that will be completed in time for the first football game in 2010.

The most excitement came when special guest and Lake Stevens High School alum, Chris Pratt, walked out on to the field.

Pratt, a movie and television star who is currently starring in NBC’s Parks & Recreation, had the honor of presenting his old principal, Collins, the last football which will be signed by this year’s team and placed alongside other school memorabilia within the school’s trophy case.

A modest and humble Pratt generously shook hands and talked to anyone who asked.
“I am hugely excited about the new stadium,” LSHS Athletic Director Ed Bailey said. “I am thankful to the voters for allowing us to have a stadium that will meet our needs.”

The new stadium is designed to not only meet the needs of the community now, but should fill those needs for decades.

“We’re real excited about a facility that will serve our community for years to come,” Superintendent Burgess said.

Principal Collins’ excitement for the project was almost palpable.
“It’s going to be awesome!” he said. “It’s been a long time coming and we have had a tremendous amount of growth. It will be the biggest venue for Lake Stevens for the next 40 years.”
A new inductee to the Viking Hall of Fame was also announced that evening.

The Journal’s own sports writer, Mike Anderton, was chosen as this year’s inductee into this prestigious group.
Anderton has always had a passion for writing, especially about local sports. He started keeping statistics for the Viking teams when he was in the seventh grade. His is a household name among local football and basketball players.



Lake Stevens Journal contributing writer Mike Anderton is
presented a plaque by Lake Stevens High School Principal Ken Collins,
inducting him into the Lake Stevens Hall of Fame.



Since starting his career, he has written for the Journal, the Lake Stevens News, the Lake Stevens Lookout, Snohomish County Tribune and the Everett Herald.

“I’m grateful to all the players, coaches and fans for showing their appreciation by this award,” he said. “I am glad to have been able to play a part in Viking sports for so many years - and still counting.”

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