A Piece Of Renton Sports History Goes Forgotten

Each fall the three city football teams battle for bragging rights and posession of the Walter J. Tracey Jr. Memorial Trophy.

Named in honor of Renton Police Detective Sergeant Walter J. Tracey Jr. on behalf of the Renton Police Guild, little more is known about the trophy or the detective.

Current Councilperson and Former Renton Police Deputy Chief Don Persson says he knew of Tracey when he started in 1966, but did not know why the guild had named the trophy after him. Persson said Tracey died suddenly from a heart attack in September 1971; he was 77.

The trophy is presented to the team who beats the other two schools. If there is no winner, as in this year, the prior year’s winning team keeps the trophy, according to school district officials. However a tie must be posted on the trophy’s list. Before Friday’s Hazen-Renton match, there had only been two ties. District officials also said there is no formal presentation of the trophy, even if there is a clear winner.

A search of his death was not reported in the Renton Record-Chronicle and the obituary in the Seattle Daily Times left little clues to any living family members.

Another search of the Renton Record Chronicle for the Renton versus Hazen game of November 1969 did not identify a trophy to the winner; Renton.

The bottom of the trophy plaque states, “Whose service to our community shall long be remembered.”

Anyone with additional information about the trophy's history should contact Sports Reporter Dave Nelson, renton.patch.sports@gmail.com, as any information will be compiled in a later story.

History of the Walter J. Tracey Jr Memorial Trophy winners:

1969 – Renton

1970 – Hazen

1971 – Renton

1972 – Hazen

1973 – Renton

1974 – Lindbergh

1975 – Renton

1976 – Renton

1977 – Renton

1978 – Renton

1979 – Hazen

1980 – Renton

1981 – Tied

1982 – Tied

1983 – Renton

1984 – Renton

1985 – Renton

1986 – Renton

1987 – Renton

1988 – Renton

1989 – Renton

1990 – Renton

1991 – Hazen

1992 – Lindbergh

1993 – Hazen

1994 – Renton

1995 – Renton

1996 – Renton

1997 – Hazen

1998 – Renton

1999 – Hazen

2000 – Renton

2001 – Hazen

2002 – Hazen

2003 – Hazen

2004 – Lindbergh

2005 – Lindbergh

2006 – Renton

2007 – Renton

2008 – Lindbergh

2009 – Lindbergh

2010 – Lindbergh

2011 - Tied