Coach Willy Garrow shares what makes the Tumwater Thunderbirds community so special — from its deep-rooted culture to the pride that brings generations of families together.
For Tumwater Head Coach Willy Garrow, the success of Thunderbird football starts with something much bigger than what happens on Friday night.
It starts with community.
Garrow joined Dick Fain on Varsity Football LIVE and reflected on the generations of players, coaches, families and fans who have helped make Tumwater one of Washington’s most recognizable high school football communities.
“It’s one of those rare places in Washington that still fills the stands on Friday nights.”
That connection begins early.
Elementary school students wear their T-Bird jerseys to school. Youth players grow up dreaming of eventually putting on the green and gold. Many current families have deep ties to the program, with fathers, uncles and relatives who played at Tumwater before them.
Garrow calls them “legacy kids”, young athletes growing up in families that already understand what Tumwater football and high school athletics can mean.
Building the Connection Early
One of the traditions helping strengthen that bond is Tumwater’s T-Bird Buddy Program.
Each varsity football player is paired with one or two youth players in the community. They attend each other’s games, stay connected throughout the season, and on Friday nights the younger players even get opportunities to celebrate with the varsity team inside the locker room.
It creates a connection that stretches from youth football all the way through high school.
“It’s not just a kid shows up in ninth grade and that’s the first time he’s heard of Tumwater football.”
The culture also extends to the coaching staff, administration and school leadership. Garrow pointed to longtime assistant coaches, former players who have returned to coach, and administrators who understand the role athletics can play in bringing a community together.
Continuing the Standard
That foundation has helped Garrow continue a remarkable tradition established by coaches before him.
With four consecutive trips to the 2A state championship game, Tumwater continues to put itself in position to compete for championships. Garrow says there isn’t one magic ingredient separating a runner-up finish from a title.
Instead, the focus remains the same: prepare the players, improve every week and give them the best opportunity to succeed when the biggest moments arrive.
“It’s just trying to get our kids in a position to succeed.”
For Garrow, that philosophy reflects what Tumwater football has been about for generations.
The players change. The seasons change.
But the connection between football, family and community remains at the heart of the Thunderbirds.
