Only three Northwest Christian players attended a player interest meeting in May, according to former Navigators coach Pete Fulton, who still teaches calculus and history at the high school. The decision not to have football this fall was made shortly after that meeting, Fulton said.
The news of no football was especially tough for Fulton, who founded the program in 2006 and was the team’s coach until he resigned after the 2010 season. The future of the program beyond this fall is uncertain.
“I think it’s over,” Fulton said. “I don’t see any hope for the future.”
Attempts to reach head coach Ben Briggs and athletic director Jeanette Lindstrom for comment were unsuccessful. The Navigators were scheduled to open the season Aug. 31 against Chief Leschi at Rainier High School.
The football program has seen a recent decline in participation since 44 players turned out during its inaugural season in 2006. Last fall, the team had 18 players and more than half of them were new to organized football. The team finished with an 0-10 record in 2011. In 2010, with a senior-laden team, the Navigators advanced to the 2B District IV playoffs for the first time, and finished 5-5.
This is the third time in two years a sport has been canceled at NWC. The past two springs, lack of player interest forced the fastpitch program to be canceled. In 2010, the Navigators won the Pacific 2B League fastpitch title.
