Seeling rises to top of school sports field

She came to La Conner in the 1980s to build upon the foundation laid here for girls athletics.

Since then, Peg Seeling has helped raise the roof for all La Conner sports teams.

Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed, either locally or around the state.

Seeling, who has coached multiple sports while at La Conner Schools, was recently named District One Athletic Director of the Year and will be formally honored during ceremonies in Spokane in late April.

District One is a sub-group of the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association and is composed of campuses from Shoreline to the Canadian border, according to Everett Public Schools Athletic Director Robert Polk, who announced Seeling’s selection.

“She is a strong advocate for small schools and is highly respected by her peers,” Polk says of Seeling.

And that tells just half the story.

Seeling also wears a second hat for the La Conner district, serving as its curriculum director — a rare double for any size school system.

Her colleagues marvel at how well she juggles both roles.

“The impressive thing about Peg,” says La Conner High head football coach Johnny Lee, “is that she isn’t mediocre in anything that she does. She thwarts convention and is able to excel in all her duties.”

Seeling has long advocated the necessary balance between academics and athletics, viewing coaching first and foremost as an opportunity to teach skills and values.

Seeling, who remains the La Conner High softball coach, is known for staying ahead of the learning curve. For instance, she was an early proponent of strength training, a vocal advocate of weightlifting more than 30 years ago, well before it came into vogue as a viable cross-training option.

She had clearly done her homework. And continues to do so.

“Peg,” stresses La Conner High head boys’ and girls’ basketball coach Scott Novak, who has worked with Seeling his entire career, “is efficient and organized. She puts her job first and pays attention to detail.”

Lady Braves volleyball mentor Suzanne Marble, who has guided the La Conner net program to three State titles, echoes those sentiments.

“She goes above and beyond and everyone benefits,” Marble says of Seeling. “She goes anywhere she can for our kids. It shows her commitment.”

La Conner Schools secretary Connie Funk sees that level of commitment daily while working alongside Seeling in the district administration building.

“Peg is clearly one of the most dedicated educators I know,” says Funk.

Which is what over the years repeatedly captured the attention of Seeling’s fellow members of the Washington Secondary Schools Athletic Administrators Association. It is they who will recognize her along with eight other honorees at the Spokane conference.

“Peg was selected,” says Polk, “for her service to her school, community, and District One. She has been involved with a number of committees at the local and state level to ensure every student is fairly represented and given equitable opportunities.”

That’s true, he and others insist, both in the classroom and the athletic arena.

Lee says Seeling is second to none in that regard.

“In my opinion,” says Lee, “an athletic director has to do two things exceptionally well. You have to support your coaches and the programs they lead, and you have to provide student athletes with opportunities to learn and develop their sense of self through athletics.

“Peg is great in both areas,” adds Lee, “which makes her an excellent athletic director for whom to work.”

Polk and the state’s athletic directors hold those traits in high regard as well.

“We’re excited,” he says, “to recognize Peg for her great work.”