Farewell to Gail Shelton - Godmother of Lacrosse

Anyone who knows Gail Shelton will tell you what a wonderful person she is, our children just refer to her as Grandma Gail. She’s warm, friendly, funny (which I sometimes find a miracle with all that she takes on each year) and she’s always willing to help. If you haven’t heard Gail’s name before that’s also not surprising. You must have heard of the saying ‘Behind every great man is a great woman’ – well that would be Gail Shelton. 

Gail has been involved heavily in the lacrosse community now for over 15 years but finally she’s decided to hang up her stick and call it a day. Over the last couple of seasons Gail has been handing over the reins to a number of people who’ll now try and fit into her shoes. It’s funny that to do all the roles that Gail took on is taking a number of other volunteers. 

One hard to believe fact about Gail is that she’s never played lacrosse herself. Her oldest son played at Bellevue while her youngest played at Mercer Island. She helped create the MI Parent organization and was a supporter of the program. Most parents don’t stay involved once their kids leave for college but not Gail. She has been the secretary and treasurer for the WHSBLA, secretary/treasurer of the Washington State Lacrosse Chapter, treasurer for both the BYLW and the WSLA. Gail constantly looks to way she can help and is always involved in the organization of the championships, Hall of Fame dinners or Annual coaches’ convention. 

In 2003 she was recognized for her outstanding contributions by winning the annual “Man of the Year” award. In 2006 Gail was inducted to the WA Hall of Fame in its inaugural year. An inspiration to all those involved in lacrosse, Gail is going to be really missed when she steps down at the end of this season. 

I could go on for pages and pages just how much she has given to Lacrosse in Washington or how much we owe Gail for her dedication over the years but instead I’ve left it to the people who’ve worked with her the closest to put it in words.

Tim House, ex-president of the BYLW (Boy’s Youth)” Gail is a most valued friend and an invaluable friend to lacrosse for many more years than she would like to count.  I am sure when she was starting a lacrosse program in Mercer Island for her boys to play she never dreamed it would become a lifelong volunteer job.  We all need to applaud her efforts, she is the godmother of lacrosse.  Show your respect.”

Michael Griffin, outgoing Chapter president “ In my view, the Chapter could not have functioned effectively without Gail Shelton.  During my involvement with the Chapter, I have been constantly amazed at Gail’s dedication, organization, and professionalism.  Few people are truly irreplaceable.  Gail Shelton is one of them.”

Tony Olney, long term contributor to the WHSBLA “ I've worked with Gail since she first volunteers her services to the boys high school league years ago. It’s been a joy working with her over all these years and the league grew from a few teams and a handful of coaches to a statewide lacrosse organization with a bonafied board of directors! Her insight, kindness, sincerity, and grace stands as an example to all that have had the good fortune of working with her. And, as a fellow Coug, I've felt we've had a special bond. We'll all miss her dearly.”

We wish Gail good luck in her ‘retirement’ and hope we’ll still see her loitering around the odd lacrosse game sometime soon. Gail we’re all going to really miss you. Don’t stay away too long.