By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Shimika Dowlen, president of the Renton Rangers youth football and cheer program, has devoted nearly 24 years to fostering the growth of young men and women in the Seattle area. Her passion for the program goes beyond just sports—it’s about giving back to her community and supporting youth development.
Dowlen’s journey within the Renton Rangers has been extensive. Starting as a cheer coach, she rose through the ranks to cheer director, then league representative. Eventually, she was voted vice president before assuming her current role as president, where she continues to serve.
“I originally became a part of the Renton Rangers because I, at the time, was just looking for a cheerleading program for my daughter,” says Dowlen. “They happened to be looking for a cheer coach at the time, so once I got involved with that, I quickly realized that my passion for cheer extended beyond just my daughter and cheer, but more so giving back to the community as a whole and contributing in a meaningful way.”
“I first started as a cheer coach, then cheer director, and I was also the league representative for the Renton Rangers,” added Dowlen. “After my representative role, I was voted in as the vice president of the Renton Rangers, and then moved on to my current position as president, which I have been in for a while now.”
Although she has faced many challenges along the way, Dowlen’s commitment to the community and the kids has only grown over the years.
“I have stayed involved in the work that I do for the same reasons as why I began,” says Dowlen. “I have loved seeing the growth and transformation in the kids, and being able to give back and help develop the kids in my community has always been in my heart.”
Ricky Frazier, Renton Rangers 12U Division Head Coach, has nothing but high praise for Dowlen and the work that she has done over the years and says that he feels privileged to work with such a pillar in the community.
“She [Dowlen] is for the kids,” says Frazier. “Once I joined Renton, she welcomed me into the Renton family, and since working with her, she has been about not just Renton but the entire league,” says Frazier. “She comes up with ideas for the league as a whole and keeps the Rangers alive [at the same time],” he added.
“Renton is one of three franchises still here, along with the CD Panthers and the Benson Bruins,” added Frazier. “Shimika has been an influence on other presidents. She is still going strong as the Rangers president, helping out the Renton cheer team with many championships. Shimika is legendary in our community.”
Dowlen shared that for a long time, Renton was known primarily for its cheer program.
“When I was the cheer director, the Renton Rangers cheer programs won first place over 10 times in cheer competitions,” says Dowlen. “Our cheer program was one of the programs that people wanted their kids to join and be a part of.”
Dowlen emphasized that much has changed since she first became involved with youth cheerleading, the main change being the time commitment now required.
“Back in the day during the off-season, we would have board meetings, fundraising, car washes, candy and chocolate fundraisers, but as time has shifted, it now requires year-round commitment where you have to be involved,” says Dowlen. “We are now heavily recruiting, trying to figure out what practice facilities are like, figuring out schedules, trying to get equipment ready. I mean, it is just always non-stop.”
“December and January are our quiet months for sure, but as soon as February hits, it is just back and going for the rest of the year. It is a lot of work running a football organization, where there really is no off time,” she added.
For Dowlen, cheerleading has always been more than a sport—it’s a platform to create opportunities for Black and brown girls.
“During my eight-year span, I was doing Rangers cheer, and then I was also the full-time cheer coach at Cleveland High School. And during this time, I would look at cheer teams down south and other places to learn from them. My goal was to learn from them and to try to build something that kids can look forward to, especially something that Black and brown girls could look forward to,” says Dowlen.
According to Dowlen, providing young boys and girls with opportunities to advance their cheer or football careers has been a priority for her.
“I have always tried to instill that the girls can move on not only from little league but then also into high school,” says Dowlen. “My main goal has always been to teach the fundamentals of cheer so that they could take it to the next level, and then hopefully the next level after that, which is college.”
In addition to her cheerleading involvement, Dowlen shared that since a young age, she has been passionate about youth football and emphasized the importance of applying skills learned in youth sports to future life endeavors to get to where you need to be.
“I grew up at Rainier Playfield with my dad, so I have always loved football, and to get to see kids grow and move on to the next level has been rewarding,” says Dowlen. “I have watched so many kids over the last 20 years go from the youth level to the high school level, to the college level, and even some that are in the NFL.” “So, for me, being a part of the Renton Rangers is pure joy,” she continued. “Seeing these kids grow up, instilling the skills they need to grow, and watching them succeed in what their passion is and what they have always wanted to do is something I have enjoyed and loved.”
