One lead for this story might simply be, “Touchdown, Cougars!”
With an effort that started in about August of last year, an alumni group headed by Bothell resident George Selg has raised $150,000 for a new state-of-the-art scoreboard for Pop Keeney Field at Bothell High School.
According to Selg, the scoreboard actually now sits stored in a Seattle warehouse awaiting transportation to its new home in Bothell. Selg said he expects to be ready to move the scoreboard within the next few weeks.
As originally advertised, the new scoreboard will be an 18-foot-by-25-foot sports media display, which also will include a 7-foot-by-13-foot live, high resolution screen with graphical and instant replay capabilities.
The scoreboard will replace the current board, which is some 23 years old.
Selg said he envisions Northshore School District students operating the new scoreboard as well as designing any needed graphics. He long also has talked about wanting to use the new amenity to highlight lesser-known sports, as well as non-sport school programs and activities through videos shown in the stadium.
Since he launched the project, Selg’s fundraising efforts have reached Northshore alumni across the area and across the country.
“I’ve been humbled by the reception, by the outpouring of help,” Selg said regarding those efforts.
Selg showed off one check that came complete with a note saying the donor had borrowed 50 cents from Selg during German class back in high school. The note added the donation made them square on that debt.
Another note (and another donation) came from a Bothell alumni who moved out of state and hasn’t been back for sometime. The man has never been to a class reunion, but plans to attend the 55th get together of his class later this year and stated he is looking forward to seeing the new scoreboard up and running.
“There’s been a lot of stories like that,” Selg said.
A 1963 alumni of Bothell High School, Selg played football on Keeney Field himself. At the time Selg was a Cougar wide receiver, Keeney Field actually would hold more than three times the population of Bothell, which was about 1,250.
Selg said he originally got the idea for the new scoreboard while chatting with some fellow alums last summer. While the scoreboard has been secured, Selg still is looking to raise a few more dollars to cover installation costs and other expenses. Those interested can call 425-481-1475 or send a check to Cougar Football Club, PO Box 42, Bothell, 98041.
