Wenatchee Valley Sports Council

(left to right:  Marco Azurdia, Ryan Baker, Mark Madland, Dan Kelly, Trina Sanders, Caryl Morrell, Pete Liske, Erik Bakke, Sally Brawley, Ken Osborne, Ernie Rodriguez, Eric Granstrom, Dave Graybill)

Caryl Morrell – President

I have been involved with the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council for 8 years in several capacities but currently as president. I have lived in the Wenatchee Valley for 20 years and hold the position of Recreation Supervisor with the City of Wenatchee Parks and Recreation Department. I grew up in the Seattle area and graduated from Central Washington University. I have three sons, Brian (21) attending CWU, Blake (16) Junior at Wenatchee High School and Cody (13) 7th Grader. Sports have been a big part of our lives for many years. We all love the valley and all it has to offer. Every day we take in the beauty of this amazing place we call home.

Sally Brawley – Vice President

I have been involved in sports and recreation in the Wenatchee Valley all my life. I grew up in East Wenatchee, graduated from Eastmont High School, Wenatchee Valley College and Washington State University with a degree in Recreation and Park Administration. I married Randy Brawley in 1981 and we have a son, Christopher and a daughter Shannon, who are now wonderful young adults. I have been employed at Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort for 17 years, the last 12 as the Ski School Director. I have served on the Professional Ski Instructors Association-North West Board of Directors for 10 years. Eight years ago I was asked to serve on the Wenatchee Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau Board of Directors and also the Sports Council Board of Directors. I am currently the Vice President of the Sports Council Board of Directors. I believe in volunteerism and giving back to my community. I enjoy being active, passionate about recreation, especially snow sports. We are blessed to live in an region with so many outdoor opportunities.

Trina Elmes – Secretary

I have been on the Sports Council Board since August of 2006, when I started my position as the Recreation Supervisor for Eastmont Parks and Recreation in East Wenatchee.  I have a Bachelors degree in Advertising and a Masters degree in Sports and Recreation Management, both from the University of Idaho. I have played numerous sports throughout my life and it was my passion for the game that brought me to Wenatchee. Not only am I blessed with planning, organizing and scheduling different sport leagues and events at work, but I am also the Field Scheduler for the Apple Valley Softball Association, the Vice-President and Field Director for the Jack and Jill Softball League, WHS Freshman Volleyball Coach and president of my home owners association. With my busy schedule, I am also finding time to play with my adorable puppy.

Marco Azurdia

I rejoined the Sports Council in 2009 but was part of the original board back in ’99 and 2000.  I’m currently the Vice President of Student Development and Athletic Director at Wenatchee Valley College.  I also served as the college’s women’s basketball coach from 1998-2006.  I celebrate life with my wife Penny, daughter Kelsey and son Austin.  I’m a member of the NWAACC Executive Committee and Wenatchee North Rotary.

Ryan Baker

I joined the Sports Council in 2008 after replacing Greg Jones as Parks Planner and Coordinator for the Chelan County Public Utilities District.  I grew up north of Spokane and went to Deer Park High School.  I continued on at Central Washington University, playing football for the Wildcats, where I also earned a BA in Recreation Management and Law Enforcement.  I love to do all things outdoors.  I’m an avid fisherman and I like rock climbing, hiking, camping and dual sporting, wakeboarding and surfing.  I’m a member of the International Northwest Parks and Recreation Association.  I’m married to my beautiful wife, Andrea and we are blessed with a son, Landon.

Erik Bakke

Erik Bakke has been a member and general counsel to the Sports Counsel for the last 4 years (?).  He has been involved in youth sports either as an administrator or coach for the last 17 years, and is the Past President of the Wenatchee Valley Youth Soccer Association.  Erik has been practicing law for 20 years after receiving his B.A. from the University of Washington and J.D. from Seattle University. His practice emphasis is in banking and credit union law, bankruptcy, creditor rights and general business law. Erik is a past president of the Bankruptcy Bar Association – Eastern District of Washington, and Past Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board for the United Sates Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington. He is also a hearing officer for the Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Board, Judge Pro Tem as well as an arbitrator and mediator. Erik is a soccer fanatic with a license to coach high school level soccer and has coached soccer at all age levels for 17 years. When he isn’t spending time with his 4 children you can find Erik spending time outdoors camping, wake boarding, biking, skiing and of course watching soccer.

Bruce Bennett

It seems I’m almost busier now that I’m retired than when I worked in sales at the Wenatchee Business Journal and owned my own store, The Dollor Store in the K-Mart Plaza.  I joined the Sports Council in 2007 and served as its Secretary for a stint.  My days are now filled with researching and cataloging sports stats and history for Wenatchee High School.  I’ve also completed a historical statistical collection for Wenatchee Valley College men’s and women’s basketball.  I’ve been the official statistician for the Wenatchee AppleSox since its debut in 2000 and love spending my summer nights at home at Paul Thomas, Sr. Field.  I graduated from Lake Washington High School and earned a BA in Journalism at the University of Washington.  My wife, Rexine and I have been married 45-years and sons Jeff (Walnut Creek, CA) and Keith (Kirkland, WA).

Eric Granstrom - Marketing

I’ve been involved directly with the Sports Council since 2007.  I was hired to replace Linda Haglund, who moved on to do sales for the Town Toyota Center.  Prior to joining the Sports Council, I enjoyed a 20-year radio career in the Wenatchee Valley, Tri Cities and Seattle highlighted by working for the Seattle Seahawks producing the Seahawks Radio Network.  I live in Malaga and have one daughter, Gracie, who lives with her Mom in Twisp.  I grew up in Western Washington and played football at Pacific University.  My love of sports landed me into a wonderful radio career and now, here with the Sports Council.  I’m currently the President of the Chelan County Football Officials Association and have officiated high school football for 8-years.  In my spare time, I love to hunt, fish and enjoy the great outdoors here in the Wenatchee Valley and North Central Washington.

Dave Graybill

I’m a native of North Central Washington and have fished in this region for over 40 years.  I also fished extensively in the Western Hemisphere, including Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and Belize.  I’ve been an outdoor writer for many years for Hunting and Fishing News in Seattle and has written feature articles for Northwest Sport Fishing, Salmon, Trout, Steelheader, Washington-Oregon Fish and Game, North American Sportsman, and FishMonitor.com, WashingtonLakes.com, LandBigFish.com and otherl magazines.

Dave provides the “Outdoor Insider” reports to 10 radio stations in Eastern Washington and Seattle.  Currently the Outdoor Insider is being presented on ESPN Radio 900-AM, and KKRV-FM, 104.7 in the Wenatchee market.  It is also carried on KNCW-FM, KOMW-AM in Omak, and ESPN Radio 1020-AM and KWIQ-FM 100.3 in Moses Lake, and KEYG-AM, KEYG-FM and KXA-FM covering a broad region of North Central Washington.  Also broadcasting the Outdoor Insider Reports is KVI-AM 570 in Seattle, covering the Puget Sound market.  I also have a column in eight weekly newspapers in Eastern Washington.  These include the Leavenworth Echo, Cashmere Valley Record, Lake Chelan Mirror, Okanogan Valley Gazzett Tribune, the Quad City Herald and the NCW Nickel Ads in Central Washington and the Tri-Cities.  I joined the Board in 2009 and have enjoyed lending my voice on the outdoor recreation opportunties to the focus of the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council.

Dan Kelly

I have been on the Sports Council board since 2005. I am also the Chairman of the Wenatchee Sports Foundation Board since it was formed in 2008?. My other community project is being on the Public Facilities Board that oversees the Town Toyota Center. My real job that allows me to be involved in the community is the Assistant Manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House. I have been involved in the tree fruit industry for over 22 years. I have been at my current position for 14 years. My family includes a daughter that lives in Butte, Montana working for US Bank. My son lives with his wife and son in Vancouver, WA. My grandson is the highlight of my life. I am an avid cyclist pedaling on the average of 2,000 miles a year. The winter I am spending my time skiing as much as I can. I have semiretired from ski teaching after over 20 years of teaching.

BJ Kuntz

I’ve been with the Sports Council Board since 2003 when I took over as Athletic Director for the Wenatchee School District from Bruce Campbell.  As a proud Wenatchee graduate, I’m honored to have the chance to serve the school and area I love so much.  After Wenatchee, I enjoyed a volleyball career at Gonzaga University where I earned a BA in PE/Health.  Later, I earned a Masters in Education Technology from City University.  I’m a member of the WIAA District 6 Executive Board, President of the Columbia Basin League (Big 9) and a club volleyball coach.  (BJ is also in the WHS Hall of Fame, earned 9 varsity letters, set 30 school records, played 4-yrs volleyball at Gonzaga, all-league selection twice).

Pete Liske

I joined the Sports Council in 2009 after watching all the good work the organization was doing from afar.  When I heard there was an opening, I felt the urge to step forward.  I’ve been blessed with a long, and multi-faceted athletics background.  (21-years NCAA Division 1A Athletics Director and Association AD at Penn State, University of Toledo, University of Idaho and University of Washington; 12-years NFL and CFL Quarterback with New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeeders & BC Lions; 5-years NFL Official)

Pete is currently a member of the Chelan County Football Officials Association.  You’ll see him out doing middle school games on a Tuesday afternoon and varsity games Friday nights.  Since joining the Sports Council, he continually says how amazed he is at all the good, positive things happening in this community and, “I wish everyone knew.”

Mark Madland

I joined the Sports Council in 2005 after being involved in youth baseball and football for a number of years in the Wenatchee Valley.  I’m proud to say I played under the legendary Lee Bofto at Wenatchee High School.  I also played baseball and wrestled for the Panthers before playing football for four years at the University of Puget Sound.  I earned a BS in Business/Management and Marketing while at UPS.  Following college, I pursued my love of football to play 10-years as linebacker in semi-professional ball.  I’m very active coaching my son Josh in football and baseball and cheering on my daughter McKenzie.  I also love to ski and hunt birds.  I’m on the Wenatchee Youth Baseball and Wenatchee Valley American Legion Baseball boards.

Ken Osborne

I joined the Sports Council in 2007 through my affiliation with the Wenatchee AppleSox.  At the time, I was in sales with the baseball team but now I’m the Assistant General Manager and Minority Owner of the AppleSox.  Prior to joining the AppleSox family, I was the Assistant Manager of Life Maintenance at Mission Ridge and also served as Course Supervisor at Vic Meyers Golf Course in Coulee City.  I’m a graduate of Almira/Coulee-Hartline and currently live in Waterville with my wife, Windy, and son, Will, and daughter, Ella.  In my spare time, I coach Little League baseball and youth soccer.

Ernie Rodriguez

I joined the Sports Council in 2010, replacing Linda Haglund on the Board, representing the Town Toyota Center.  I’m currently the Director of Marketing for Town Toyota Center as well as the public address announcer for the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Team “aahhoooooo!”  I came to Town Toyota Center after a long career in radio throughout the Wenatchee Valley and Columbia Basin as “Uncle Ernie.” 

Dan White

I joined the Sports Council in 2003 when I assumed the roll of Athletic Director at Eastmont High School.  I played football, basketball and baseball at Mark Morris High School and went on to play more football and baseball in college.  After attending Olympic JC, I went on to Washington State University where I played football and two years of baseball.  At WSU, I earned a BA in Social Studies and later earned my Masters in Education at Central Washington University.  I coached baseball at Eastmont for 34-years and assisted with the football team for 30-years.  I’m on the North Central Washington District 6 Executive Board, Eastmont Metropolitan Parks Board and served on past boards with local Little League and Babe Ruth.