http://www.tacomasportsmuseum.com/, https://linktr.ee/tacomasportsmuseum

Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum, 1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA (2026)

05/13/2026

The Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum is saddened to share the passing of Audrey (Lakowske) Vaughn on April 13, 2026. She was two months away from her 100th birthday. Audrey was born on June 7, 1926, in Tacoma, where she lived the rest of her life. She graduated from Stadium High School in 1944, and worked in the banking industry.

Audrey was involved in sports for her entire life, despite limited athletic opportunities for women during her childhood. She played second base for the 1945 and 1946 WA State Champion Lincoln Electric women’s fastpitch team and guard on the 1945 City Basketball championship team. She was inducted into the TPC Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Hall of Fame in 2022 for her contributions to fastpitch.

Audrey’s interest in sports was not limited to playing. She and her husband of 48 years, Tex, began a youth soccer league in 1967 and supported their sons in baseball, soccer, and basketball. She was also a successful golfer, winning the Women’s Championship at Madrona Links (1992), Ft. Steilacoom Ladies Nines Title (1997-2000, 2002), and the 74-79 age group Gold Medal at the WA State Golf Championships. Audrey also helped to organize the Pierce County Senior Games in 1999 to support her community.

Audrey Vaughn was preceded by her husband Duane (Tex) and son James, and is survived by sons Michael (Ann), and Daniel (Barbara.; grandchildren, Kalissa (Ryan), Eric (Amy), Alissa (Dave) and Robert (Zoey); great-grandchildren, Emmett, Tilly, Logan, Scarlett, Harper and Gavin. Audrey will be missed in the Pierce County athletic community.

05/03/2026

Today is the LAST DAY to purchase tickets for the Tribute to Champions banquet! This incredible event only comes once a year and is a great way to not only celebrate the athletic community of Tacoma-Pierce County, but it’s also a fantastic way to support the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum. Our mission is to preserve, honor, and share the history of sports in this Pierce County and currently, we are doing so without a physical museum space. This limits our ability to display the amazing artifacts in our collection year-round with the public.

One aspect of the Tribute to Champions is the auction, which includes a condo in Phoenix for spring training, several golf packages, autographed sports memorabilia from local legends, and priceless experiences, like spending an inning with in the Mariners’ Press Box with Rick Rizzs during his final season. The proceeds from the auction support the TPC Sports Museum in our goal of finding a new home for our collection.

Again, today is your FINAL CHANCE to purchase a ticket to this event! https://buff.ly/yNEe8FX. Can’t make it on May 19? Contact Colleen Barta at (253) 208-9702 to submit an absentee bid. You won’t want to miss this - we can’t wait to see you there!

Pictured: Banquet emcee Chris Egan (King5 Sports) and Sports Museum President Marc Blau at the 2024 Tribute to Champions

05/02/2026

One of the Distinguished Achievement Awards the TPC Sports Museum is honored to present each year is the First Family of Sports Award, showcasing a family that has made significant contributions to the local athletic community. At this year’s Tribute to Champions banquet on May 19, we are excited to present this award to the Ladenburg Family for their role in slowpitch softball!

The sixteen Ladenburg siblings became known statewide as “The Family” for earning over 100 softball trophies over 22 seasons, including league, city, and invitational tournament titles, and a historic state championship. The Family’s dynasty formed in 1977, when Frank and John were playing men’s softball and began fundraising for tournaments, debuting (and winning) at the Joe Stortini Invitational at Peck Field.

They made it to the Amateur Softball Association State Championships in 1981, as the lowest seed of the 32 teams and became the first Tacoma team to win an ASA State 14-inch softball title. The Family’s legacy is clear and we are so excited to honor them at this year’s Tribute to Champions. Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to purchase tickets to this amazing event!! Buy tickets here: https://buff.ly/yNEe8FX.

All siblings graduated from Stadium High School and many played multiple sports: Kathy (‘64, Metro Parks box-hockey champion); Frank (‘65, youth football teammate of Ahmad Rashad); John (‘67, brought Men’s US Open Golf Championship to Chambers Bay as Pierce County Executive); Marlene (‘67, played softball in high school and at Tacoma Community College); Nadine (‘71, was a guard on the Tigers’ girls basketball team and played “Powderpuff football”); George (‘73, played baseball at Olympic College, UPS, and semi-pro with the Tacoma Raiders); Mike (‘74, was a wide receiver and defensive back on Tigers’ football team and played baseball at Olympic College); Barry (‘75, was a member of the Tigers’ cross-country team and played baseball); Barbara (‘75, did not play sports in high school); Dan (‘77, was on the Tigers’ wrestling team and played baseball); David (‘77, was on the Tigers’ basketball team and played basketball at Tacoma Community College); Mary Jane (‘79, earned a scholarship to play modified women’s fastpitch at Tacoma Community College); Alan (‘81, was a multi-year varsity wrestler for the Tigers); Dale (‘84, played baseball and was a youth basketball coach/official); Gail (‘84, played softball for the Tigers); Lissa (‘84, played softball for the Tigers and did gymnastics).

05/01/2026

There are only a few days left to purchase tickets to the Tribute to Champions banquets on May 19th! In addition to admission to the Hall of Fame inductions and sports experiences/memorabilia auction, tickets come with a FREE copy of “Playgrounds to the Pros: An Illustrated History of Sports in Tacoma-Pierce County” and complimentary autographs from the amazing Hall of Famers pictured here! This is a great chance to meet sports legends while supporting the community.

The 2026 Tacoma-Pierce County Hall of Fame inductees are: Denise Baxter and Sara Halasz-Price (basketball); Tom Gallagher, Steve Harshman, Torey Hunter and Desmond Trufant (football); Todd Erwin (golf); Tom Glasgow (broadcaster); Art Thiel (sportswriter); Jason Edwards (mountaineering); Sheri Bauer-Cruz (multi-sport); Mark Stricherz (officiating); Jody DeGroot and Courtney Schwan (volleyball); Bryan Bartelson and Jordyn Bartelson (wrestling)

We are so excited to honor these incredible athletes and their contributions to the field. Please join us in celebrating their careers on May 19th and receive FREE autographs from Hall of Famers! Tickets can be purchased here through May 3rd: https://buff.ly/yNEe8FX.

05/01/2026

The Tribute to Champions is just a few weeks away and there are a limited number of tickets left, so if you plan on joining the celebration, BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW by clicking here: https://buff.ly/yNEe8FX. There are also many fabulous auction items from sports memorabilia to a Seattle Mariner Press Box Experience with Rick Rizzs in his final season, rounds of golf at premier courses, wine and goodie baskets and an Arizona condo for spring training next year. Click here: https://buff.ly/J6tUwlg to view all the auction items. If you want to submit an Absentee Bid, call Colleen Barta at (253) 208-9702. You won’t want to miss the biggest sports happening of the year!

Pictured: Former NFL referee Buddy Horton, who YOU can have a football game day party with ($250 value)! Buddy refereed bowl games in the Pac-10 and many NFL playoff games in his 20-year career. Bid now!

04/25/2026

Every year, the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum is especially honored to present the Doug McArthur Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tribute to Champions Banquet. This award acknowledges individuals who have lived their lives in service of the local athletic community. This year, the award will be given to Teri Wood and Tom Burmester. Come thank these two wonderful individuals for their contributions at the banquet on May 19 in Lakewood! Tickets can be purchased until May 3 at this link: https://buff.ly/lF1Fbl6. See you there!

Teri Wood is a longtime advocate for women in sports. She graduated from Aquinas Academy in 1974, where she participated in many sports, and quickly became an athletic official. She became a volleyball referee in 1975 and excelled throughout her entire career, proving herself to be a positive role model for all young women. She earned the highest possible officials rating of National referee in 1989, and refereed college volleyball for over 20 years. She received the Washington Officials Association Meritorious Service Award (1995), TPCVOB’s Wayne Gardner Match Point Honor Award (1999), and Connelly Law Offices Excellence in Officiating Award (2012). Teri’s tireless advocacy for girls was perhaps shown most in her work with Tacoma Public Schools as a Title IX Specialist, ensuring that district athletic directors and facilities remained complaint with Title IX law, including bringing the Heidelberg Sports Complex into compliance. Thank you for your amazing equity work, Teri!

Tom Burmester served students both on and off the baseball diamond for over 40 years. He graduated from Mt. Tahoma in 1965, after which he began teaching and coaching baseball at Baker Junior High in Tacoma. His career trajectory first changed in 1976, when Tom was named head baseball coach of Green River Community College. Though he only had a year of experience, Tom’s natural coaching ability became clear as his teams reached post-season tournaments and nine of his students signed professional contracts during his time with Green River. Tom was teaching at Foss High School when, in 1988, his career underwent another unexpected change and he was asked to serve as the student government advisor. Once again, Tom’s natural coaching abilities came through and he made positive changes for the student body. He has served as the Foss Athletic Director, the WIAA State Baseball Tournament Director, the WCD3 Director for Baseball/Wrestling/Swimming and has received theWCD 3 Meritorious Service Award (2003), the WCD 3 Athletic Director of the Year (2005, 2011), and Washington State High School Activity Coordinator of the Year (2006). Thank you for your years of service, Tom!

04/24/2026

In addition to showcasing the achievements of the Pierce County athletic community, the Tribute to Champions banquet features both a silent and a live auction with a variety of items and experiences. Some of the great items available include a week-long stay at a 2bd Phoenix condo during 2027 Spring Training ($2,500 value), golf lessons with PGA Professional Todd Erwin ($260 value), a round of golf for 4 at the Sahalee Country Club ($1,800 value), Mariners Press Box experience ($1,200 value), 4 Club seats for the 9/5/26 Seattle Sounders match ($440 value), a “Play Ball Kid” Mariners ticket package ($350 value), custom Mariners or Seahawks quilts ($300 values), Wes Stock autographed baseball ($150 value), or a Ken Griffey, Jr. autographed baseball cap ($150 value). See the entire list of auction items HERE: https://buff.ly/J6tUwlg

These are just a few of the many auction items that will be available at this year’s Tribute to Champions. All proceeds support the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum. Currently, the Museum is in the process of finding a new location to house and display our wonderful collection and every donation helps these efforts. Can’t make it to the banquet on May 19? Contact our Executive Director Colleen Hall Barta ([email protected] or 253-208-9702) to place an absentee bid!

We look forward to seeing you at the Tribute to Champions! Tickets can be purchased here https://buff.ly/lF1Fbl6!

04/20/2026

The athletic community is made up of a wide variety of individuals working in many capacities and we are excited to celebrate the officials that make sporting events run smoothly and fairly. Connelly Law Offices Excellence in Officiating Award is one of the Distinguished Achievement Awards that will be presented at the 2026 Tribute to Champions banquet on May 19.

The officials that will be honored this year are: Jeff Berg (baseball), Andre Springer (basketball), Terry Simmonds and Mike Keblbek (football), Jeff Bambrick (lacrosse), Michael Garosi (soccer), Dennis Mullens (softball), Johnny Jones (volleyball), and Pete Janda (wrestling). All of these individuals have made countless contributions to their respective sports and they deserve a moment in the spotlight!

Photo: Recipients of the 2024 Excellence in Officiating Award

If you would like to see these awards be presented in person, you can purchase tickets to the banquet on May 19 here: https://buff.ly/4UzI4ue See you there!

04/09/2026

If you weren’t aware, the TPC Sports Museum does not currently have a physical location to display our vast collection of sports artifacts, like this signed jersey from Seattle Mariners pitcher “King” Felix Hernandez from when he played for the AAA Tacoma Rainiers while on rehab assignment. Without an exhibition space, our community is missing out on access to incredible local history like this.

One way to support the Sports Museum’s goal of finding a new location is by attending our annual Tribute to Champions banquet coming up on May 19 at 5pm! The event includes both a silent and a hosted auction with a variety of incredible sports experiences and memorabilia. Proceeds from tickets and the auction go directly to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum and our mission to preserve the history of sports in our community.

Pre-sale DISCOUNTED tickets can be purchased for $33 ($15 for 12 and under) online until April 19, after which tickets will be $38. Tickets can be purchased here: https://buff.ly/zGoU7iD See you there!

04/08/2026

The annual Tribute to Champions is upon us again! This event celebrates the amazing individuals who make up the Tacoma-Pierce County sports community, inducting the new class of Hall of Fame inductees and handing out a variety of awards, including the Doug McArthur Lifetime Achievement Award. The program will be hosted by King5’s Chris Egan.

This year’s Tribute to Champions will be on Tuesday, May 19 at the McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. Doors will open at 5pm with a “Playground to the Pros” book giveaway (free to the first 250 guests), autograph session, dessert social, and silent auction. At 6:15pm, a live auction of four marquee items will begin, and from 6:30-8:30pm, the Hall of Fame inductions and Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented.

Pre-sale DISCOUNTED tickets can be purchased for $33 ($15 for 12 and under) online until April 19, after which tickets will be $38. Tickets can be purchased here: https://buff.ly/zGoU7iD. We can’t wait to see you there!

Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Museum

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