By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) recently announced its Hall of Fame classes for 2021 and 2022, which are headlined by former Rainier Beach and University of Washington standout Tara Davis and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. Both classes will be honored at a luncheon at the Renton Pavilion Events Center on Wednesday, May 3.
Davis, a 1990 graduate from Rainier Beach, was a four-year starter and an All-Metro League athlete in basketball, soccer, and track. In basketball, Davis led the Lady Vikings to the state basketball tournament four consecutive years, and while running track, won four individual state titles along with two group state titles. On the soccer field, Davis led Rainier Beach to its only Metro League soccer title as a defender and was named a Converse All-American as a senior.
At the collegiate level, Davis played basketball for the University of Washington and helped her team reach the NCAA tournament all four years. She would join the track team her senior year, as she won a Pac-10 title in the long jump and set school records in both the triple and long jump.
After graduating from the University of Washington, Davis continued her basketball career as a member of Seattle’s first professional women’s basketball franchise, the Seattle Reign. She went on to have a short stint with the New England Blizzard and then played internationally in Israel.
With a decorated athletic career, Davis’ jersey number 23 has been retired by Rainier Beach and can be seen hanging from the rafters in the school’s gymnasium. Today, Davis serves as the assistant director of athletics for Seattle Public School District and is the first African-American woman to hold the position.
“It’s a huge honor [to be inducted into the Hall of Fame],” says Davis. “You have this wonderful ability to participate in an athletic program and don’t do it with the idea of recognition. So, to be recognized is a huge accomplishment and humbling experience. It’s almost surreal because here I am now overseeing the program I was a part of; this was full circle.”
Harrell, a three-sport athlete at Garfield (football, baseball, and wrestling), was the valedictorian of his class and captain of the football team as a senior. He was also honored as a First-Team All-Metro linebacker, was named the school’s most valuable player in baseball and wrestling, and received nine varsity letters during his time at Garfield. After graduating from Garfield in 1976, Harrell attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship.
During his time as a Husky, Harrell was the starting linebacker, a First-Team Academic All-American, an All-Pac-10 selection, won the Rose and Sun Bowl consecutively, and led the team in tackles as a senior. In 2008, he received the University of Washington Husky Legend Award. Following his collegiate career, Harrell went on to law school before working in technology and telecommunications.
Harrell has been inducted into the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame as a college player and served on the Seattle City Council from 2007 until 2020.
When asked about his induction, Harrell stated, “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. More than any particular athletic accomplishment, what I valued most from my time on the field was learning lifelong lessons and creating lifelong friendships through teamwork and competition.”
“Uniting people across races and socioeconomic backgrounds, sports brought out the best in my neighbors and classmates as teammates, coaches, and mentors, allowing us to work together toward a common goal with urgency and excellence and teaching me skills and values I continue to apply today,” added Harrell.
In addition to Davis and Harrell, the other inductees into the Hall of Fame are Shelly Thiel, Marty Fortin, Eric Sandberg, Phil Lonborg, Dave Tikker, Dale Blair, Jennifer Stinson-Greeny, Suzanne Marble, and Tim Stevens.
When speaking about all the individuals being inducted, WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman expressed, “The individuals being inducted into the WIAA Hall of Fame have demonstrated innovation, passion, inclusion, and accountability as they competed and provided leadership to allow the students we serve to develop positive lifetime memories.”
