Sequim stadium and field get blessings, names

By Michael Dashiell • September 21, 2022 1:30 am

The way Ron Allen sees it, the Sequim community and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe are figuratively “joined at the hip.”

Last week, Allen — the tribe’s chairman and CEO — joined with Sequim School District leaders, tribe representatives and an appreciative crowd in naming the school’s athletic stadium and field.

Following the recommendation of a committee assigned to consider facility names, Sequim School Board directors earlier this year approved the naming of the district stadium on West Fir Street to stáʔčəŋ — a S’Klallam word pronounced “stah-chung” and meaning “wolf” — and the field to Myron Teterud’s Field, after the longtime, late SHS sports fanatic.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Pat and Patsy Adams, tribal elders with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, offer a blessing of the Sequim School District’s stadium and field on Sept. 26.

“Sports has always been a big part [of the curriculum]; lots of our elders have played ball here and made a score or two,” Allen said.

“Our tribe is so dedicated to whatever we can do to help the school district.”

For months, with Phyllis Faulk Meyer and others with the Sequim Alumni Association leading the way, community members advocated for naming the field after Teterud, who rooted on SHS athletics for the past six decades. Teterud died April 30, 2021, at 81.

“Naming our field after Myron … says something about how we value our fans as much as our athletes,” said Judy Smith, a 1960 Sequim High graduate who went to school with Myron.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Myron Teterud, a longtime Sequim schools and community supporter, gives the crowd a salute after being honored as “Fan of the Century” at Sequim High School’s centennial celebration in January 2011.

Naming the field after him, Smith said, gives people a chance to talk about loyalty, sportsmanship and “staying true to your school.”

The committee included seven members: Dustin Brenske, Jamestown S’Klallam deputy director of Social and Community Services; Jessica Humphries, Jamestown S’Klallam Youth and Teen Program Coordinator; Sequim Alumni Association president Lorri Gilchrist; Judy Reandeau Stipe, Sequim Museum & Arts executive director; Sequim High School principal Shawn Langston; SHS athletic director Craig Brooks; and Joan Zook, then the Sequim School District’s interim superintendent.

On Sept. 16, Sequim High School principal Erin Fox (SHS Class of 2020) and Sequim High senior Hi’ilei Robinson described the importance of the field and stadium, where not only athletic competitions are featured but also Homecoming, the schools annual graduation ceremony, graduation walk and other events.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell A large rock and plaque just outside the gates of the newly named Sequim School District stadium and field recognizes Sequim High “superfan” Myron Teterud.

“Naming this stadium concretes its purpose,” Fox said.

Pat (SHS Class of 1970) and Patsy Adams offered a blessing for the stadium and field.

Allen said that, along with the stadium name, the tribe is considering offering some carvings to adorn the stadium environs.

“We always have to take care of our kids,” Allen said.