Friday Night Lights at Woolsey Stadium
Imagine this: A Friday night under the luminescent glow of football stadium lights in Shoreline, Washington. The collective anticipation and excitement in the air is almost tangible. This isn’t just any High School Friday Night Lights; it’s a King’s High School football game night. An event that unites the community, sparks school spirit, and sets hearts racing with every touchdown scored by the Knights. Knights Football is a pillar of the King’s Community. It brings the elementary, junior high, and CRISTA Senior Living, along with members of the community, together. The Knights season is off to a great start with three consecutive wins! What makes Friday Night Lights at Woolsey Stadium so special? Let’s look at three things that set King’s Football apart!
The Knights Football Coach
In 1993, Shapiro graduated from Pacific Lutheran University. He played an active role on the 1993 PLU National Championship football team and holds a place in the PLU Hall of Fame.
Since 1994, Coach Shapiro has been coaching at King’s. Under his leadership, he has made it to the state quarter-finals seven times, earned the title of WIAA Academic State Champions four times, and competed in the 2A classification playoffs for the first time in the school’s history in 2005. The league voted him Coach of the Year in 1999, 2002, 2008, and 2013. Coach Shapiro served as a coach for the East/West All-Star “West Team” in 2002. In 2013 and 2015, he received the title of NFL Seahawk Coach of the Week, National Football Foundation Coach of the Year, and Washington State Coach of the Year, which represents all coaches at all classifications.
Shapiro and his wife Wendy have been happily married for over 20 years. They reside in Edmonds with their three children, Atley, Gracia, and Kai.
Building Champions while Pursing Championships
The whole King’s Community loves Coach Shapiro for more than just football. He is a role model to his players. He preaches that building champions while pursuing championships is what really matters. His players’ hearts and souls far outweigh their athletic ability’s importance. You can find Coach Shapiro leading his team in prayer after every football game, home or away. Most times, the opposing team will even join. The discipleship aspect of the King’s Football program is what makes it unique.
Every year it seems like someone wants to be baptized. My junior year a couple guys asked for prayer here and there, but this year has really taken off with accountability and men’s groups. We pray before practice, and we dive into scripture. It’s a great way for all of us to find peace.
King’s Football Player
The King’s Knights Football Game Community
King’s Schools is a distinguished Christian Private School offering top-tier preschool to 12th-grade education. Sharing its campus with CRISTA Ministries enriches King’s community beyond the traditional school setting. CRISTA Ministries is a family of ministries with various branches, including CRISTA Senior Living, World Concern, CRISTA Media, and CRISTA Camps. This unique partnership broadens the horizons of King’s Schools, making it much more than just an educational institution. This unique community comes together to cheer on the Knights football team every chance they get!
At the home opener football game, the Knights played Nooksack Valley, the number one team in the state of Washington. After a tough back-and-forth game, the Knights came out victorious!
Friday night was the BEST of high school sports. Our community showed up to celebrate and bless the start of the school year and got treated to a thrilling game. The student section was as big as I have ever seen it, it was hard to find a seat in the bleachers, and our cheer squad and drummers added to the electric atmosphere. If this is what the year holds, we want MORE! GO KNIGHTS!,
David Gerig, King’s School’s Athletic Director
The Football Stadium
George B. Woolsey, the groundskeeper from 1950-1967, gave Woolsey Stadium its name. Legend has it that Mr. Woolsey had King’s P.E. classes help clear the area to plant grass by picking up rocks and throwing them over the hill. The meticulous care and cleanliness he instilled in the stadium have withstood the test of time and continue to this day. In 1979, King’s organized a “jog-a-thon,” which raised enough funds to install the first all-weather track in the area. When the grass was replaced with a synthetic surface, it transformed Woolsey Stadium into one of the top five venues for watching a game in Washington State, as reported by the Seattle Times.
Friday Night Lights at Woolsey Stadium is more than just a football game; it’s a celebration of community, spirit, and faith. The King’s High School Football team, under the leadership of the esteemed Coach Shapiro, represents the embodiment of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and Christian values. It’s about building champions in life while pursuing championships on the field. The unique blend of top-tier education, the enriching influence of CRISTA Ministries, and the electric atmosphere of Woolsey Stadium make every game an unforgettable experience. The Knights’ triumphant start to the season promises an exciting journey ahead. Be part of the King’s community, schedule a tour today!